When a captain is more than just a captain; In praise of Aubameyang By Sylvester Kwentua
Being the captain of a football team comes with a lot of work and responsibilities. The captain, being an on-the-field coach, has the duty to ginger the other players to put in their best in every game. The captain is always there to stand up for a bullied teammate, protect his team mates from the harsh decisions of the referee, and also lift the morale of the players, when it gets low. But then, after a game must have been played and either won or lost, does the duty of the captain end? I don’t think so.
Pierre Aubameyang has served as Arsenal’s captain for close to two seasons and so far, he has had kind of a mixed impact on his teammates. From games where he failed to lead from the front, to games where he scored but could not lead the team to success, he has experienced it all. However, beyond leading his team on the pitch, Aubameyang seems to also be doing well leading his team off the pitch. If recent commendations by Aaron Ramsdale are anything to be taken seriously, then Aubameyang deserves some more accolades.
In an appearance in a golf television programme, Tubes And Ange Golf life (I read this on
Football.london), the in form Arsenal shot stopper, revealed how Aubameyang, together with his partner in fun Lacazette, have been uniting the Arsenal team, right from the dressing room.
“When Aubameyang and Lacazette are happy, it’s a very loud changing room,” Ramsdale said. “Sometimes, they’ll be speaking in French, so you don’t know what they’re going on about; they could be slaughtering you. They won’t be because they’re nice people.
“Then they get [Nicolas] Pepe involved. Next thing you know, one of them’s running at the other and they’re just going ‘whack’, giving each other a dead arm, and it makes everyone laugh.”
Well, Aubameyang has always been known to be a lively and funny person, and from the way he celebrates his goals with Lacazette and other players on the pitch, I can deduce that his combination with Laca in putting smiles on the faces of his teammates, is top notch and that is a good thing.
When players are relaxed and happy in the presence of each other, the effect is what we are seeing in the team right now. Long may the unity and bond among Arsenal players reign. Ain’t you happy with the new found love in the team?
We are Arsenal and proud.
Sylvester
