Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his fifth goal for Barcelona in his sixth game since joining the Catalan club on a free transfer from Arsenal having left on the January transfer window’s deadline day.
Despite his departure, Arsenal did not bring in any replacement for the Gabonese forward and even allowed young striker Folarin Balogun to leave the club on loan until the end of the season. Aubameyang’s form for Barcelona has sparked plenty of discussions online with many claiming that manager Mikel Arteta had made a mistake letting him leave.
Arsenal have just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah to carry their striking responsibilities until the end of the current season.
Lacazette was pivotal in Arsenal’s two victories over Wolves, forcing the chance for Gabriel Magalhaes at Molineux and then striking the ball which led to the Jose Sa own goal last Thursday. The win was the Gunners’ first double over Bruno Lage’s side for nine seasons.
The Frenchman also assisted Emile Smith Rowe for the goal against Brentford to open the scoring in a 2-1 win over the Bees. The three back-to-back wins have put Arsenal in the driving seat for the top-four race with a number of games in hand over their rivals.
One of the big factors behind allowing Aubameyang to leave was the disciplinary breaches that led to him being stripped of the club captaincy.
Aubameyang confirmed that he only had an issue with Mikel Arteta and that was why he left.
"It was just him and he made that decision. He wasn't happy, I can't tell you more. He wasn't very happy, I was very calm," said Aubameyang at his Barcelona unveiling press conference.
"My last few months at Arsenal were complicated, that’s football sometimes. For my part, I never wanted to do anything wrong. My problem was only with Arteta. I can’t say much more, I wasn’t happy.”
However, Arteta has so far been vindicated in his decision even with the Gabonese’s fine form for the Blaugrana.
When looking at the number of goals scored this season with Aubameyang in the team compared to without, the evidence of improvement is clear.
Prior to his departure, Aubameyang featured in 14 Premier League matches and the side scored a total of 18 goals including four from the striker himself.
However, since being removed, Arsenal have played nine Premier League games scoring a total of 20 goals. Two more despite having played five games less.
Goals were always the focus of Mikel Arteta’s struggles having worked hard to improve the defensive record of the team. Aaron Ramsdale has the third-most clean sheets (11) in the league behind only Man City’s Ederson (15) and Liverpool’s Alisson (13). Two better than Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy (9).
However, since Aubameyang has moved on, the chances and goals have increased to help the Gunners on their way towards Champions League qualification.
Aubameyang needed the move as much as Arsenal did and it is working out for both parties. Fans need not long for the 32-year-old and can be happy for his happiness in Catalonia whilst their side pushes onwards and upwards in his stead.
Make sure you have subscribed to The Arsenal Way! The Fan Brands team along with plenty of your football.london favourites will be producing daily Arsenal content for you to enjoy including match reactions, podcasts, football fun and interviews. You can follow Tom Canton from the TAW team to keep up to date with his work.
