Mikel Arteta says that much of Arsenal’s future success depends on the goals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but refused to guarantee to playing the captain as the central striker after his hat-trick against Leeds.
It was the 31 year old’s first Premier League triple for the Gunners, and he could have had more after a second half shot crashed back off the bar during the 4-2 win.
Arsenal committed a big contract to the skipper, and it’s important we get the maximum from him, something the manager acknowledged afterwards.
“We know that a big part of our future success is related to Auba being at his best and scoring as many goals as possible,” said Arteta.
“If he is in that kind of form we’re going to be closer to winning football matches, that’s clear.
“We can’t just rely on him but he’s a big piece of our parcel and you saw today again today, when he’s firing he’s a very difficult player to play against.”
As for whether tonight cemented his position up front, the Spaniard continued, “We have the option.
“Depending on the game, on the opponent, depending on the areas we want to exploit and how we want to make the game easier for him.
“I thought that it could be a good option for him today and it worked well. I thought he was superb today.
“He’s been training really well in the last week or so, he was back to normal, he looked really committed in training, really hungry.
“I think today he had a great performance, not only for the goals but for the way he worked without the ball as well. The amount of pressure he put on every Leeds defender and he set the tone for the team.
“I’m delighted for him, he deserves it.”
After a difficult spell on and off the pitch for Aubameyang, it was great to see him return to form with such a bang – and it brings his goal tally for the season to 11 – making him the leading scorer.
Lest anyone forget, Auba is our best player. Need him scoring goals. Great to see it today.
Saka MVP. But Auba is still the man.
This .
Our 19 Year old is the man game in and game out this season . I look forward to Auba giving his all to get back to the top of the pedestal.
Hope he can do that consistently for the rest of the season. And we get Partey and Tierney back asap.
That would be great but I think there’s more chance of Auba’s goals than getting Tierney and Partey back (and remaining fit) for a good run of games – certainly as far as Tierney is concerned anyway. You never know though, we’re due a bit of luck.
As nobody else is scoring on a consistent basis at present that’s a very accurate statement. We do need to spread the goals around more but how you do that is another matter. Anyway, it’s good news that Auba appears to have found his scoring boots again.
I’d argue his goals are important for present success. For future success, goals from Martinelli, Saka, Emile SR, Nketia/Balagun are important
That’s assuming Martinelli can get a game ahead of Arteta’s step son twice removed.
I’d fancy any of strikers scoring goals with Saka, ESR and Odegaard loading the gun.
Auba definitely back to his best today.
Still don’t think he should play at CF most games. Better suited to LWF, but should have more licence to roam across the front line than he has for most of this season
Opposition are very rarely as open as Leeds. And against compact teams, quality hold up play is essential
Lacazette is better in that regard, but still not really good and consistent enough to be the answer. We badly need to sort the CF position out this summer
Absolutely important he starts to knock em in now for us. It will be a boon.
but do we need two articles on Auba? Other players have contributed today too.
It’s beyond shocking that Arseblog forced you to read 2 articles on an Arsenal player the day after he scored a hat trick. Shame on him. Biggest scandal of 2021 to date.
If you play 3 technical midfielders behind him – that’s what you get.
Good to see Auba combining well with the youngsters, we haven’t seen that much this season.
All the more so considering his contract extension, and the fact that Laca will likely be sold this summer.
I’m still dreaming of a fit and firing attacking trio of Pepe, Saka and Auba with ESR pulling the strings behind, and Martinelli and Ødegaard on the bench!