Jermaine Pennant has slammed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who he claims isn’t a leader for Arsenal on or off the field.
The striker has been a fraction of his usual self this term for whatever reason, notching up his worst goal-per-game ration since joining the club, as well as enduring unprecedented spells without rippling the net.
He has also found himself being dropped by manager Mikel Arteta for the North London Derby clash with Tottenham recently for supposed lateness, and his position as captain is now being questioned.
Former Arsenal winger Pennant now claims that he only got the captain’s role on performances alone, but doesn’t provide anything as the man wearing the armband on or off the pitch.
“Aubameyang got the armband on his performances in previous seasons, due to scoring a lot of goals and being a fan favourite,” he told talkSPORT.
“With the struggles Arsenal are going through, I feel that’s why he was given the captaincy, not because he’s a leader off the pitch.
“I don’t think he’s a leader on the pitch either. Not only is he not scoring, but he’s turning up late, he’s getting dropped – as a captain you shouldn’t be doing that.
“I would always throw Steven Gerrard into this conversation, because he led by example and you would never see him turn up late, you would never see him getting dropped for any misdemeanours on the field or off the field.”
The Gunners have recently been reported to be considering his future beyond the summer after a below-par showing this term, which surely means they are also questioning his role as club captain, and you will struggle to find an Arsenal fan who would argue against him being stripped of the armband since the striker’s lateness was uncovered.
Patrick
How does Pennant know? At least Aubamayang hasn’t got and ankle tag like his, just the armband…….
Well like you my memory of Pennant wasn’t great
So u guys do this too??
Leaving out the message and attacking the messenger!!
What has Jermain Pennant said DAT is incorrect??
Auba is lazy, slow and has a lukewarm attitude to football!!
Bloke’s a waste of space. Worst captain I’ve seen in last twenty years
didnt everyone want him to sign the contract a few months ago?
now everyone wants him out….
hes going through a rough patch like every footballer
not every players is like Fifa21 and keep performing like robots
Spot on Vinnie. Auba has been woeful and an absolute disappointment. Mind you, Arteta has been short sighted and part of the Auba, Willian and Nketiah negative contribution by been persistant with them when they should have been benched.
Well if the insightful Jermaine Pennant says it is so, then I guess it must be so…
Auba is a proven goal scoring machine, undoubtedly. He is not what I would call a leader though… He won’t fight for every ball, get into tackles, rally the brigade or so to speak…
Let’s just say we need a captain needs to be so much more than what Auba brings to the table…
My take!
Lers be realistic here Asernal is not performing as a team. We don’t have a reliable defence and midfield at all. As for yesterday’s match can we point to anything good from our midfield or defence that was awful to say tbe least. We need a good team for our strikers to thrive. I do agree though that Auba is not suitable to captain the team
He is really not a leader why can’t he talk to players when things are not going on well on and off the pitch?
He better return the arm band to Granit Xhaka who is capable of the captaincy.
The captain should be able to shout at players encouraging them to work hard and represent them in times of trouble.
Kronke the owner of Arsenal should learn from Chelsea, Manchester City and Man U on how these teams do invest in football. Buy good players this summer if you want the team to compete at a higher level. Don’t rely on average players who cannot take us anywhere.
George, Whatever makes you think Kroenke even cares to compete at a higher level? ALL the evidence since 2007 tells us he does NOT!
Pennant has no axe to grind, he’s just giving his opinion which I happen to agree with. In fact, apart from maybe Tierney, we have no leaders in our team and this shows when we are in need of one, like yesterday!!
I have no issue with Pennant who has spoken what almost all Gooners know in our hearts to be true. I agree with the post that said he is the worst captain in twenty years. I go back over 60 years and can not think of a single other regular captain who approaches Auba for unsuitability.
It was frankly a bizarre choice and one I presume and believe will be rectified before next season. I would not be at all surprised to see Auba gone by next season and hope he is.
Right now he is as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I cannot and will not tolerate lazy, uninterested and idle players, as those who read my countless posts on Walcott and Ozil will testify. THAT TYPE ARE CHEATING US ALL.