Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired in a hat-trick to set Barcelona onto a 4-1 win over Valencia at the weekend, which naturally poses questions of Arsenal’s decision to allow him to leave for free.
The Gunners have won both of their matches since the Gabon international departed, so we have little reason to question our ability to cope in his absence at present, but the fact that he netted a hat-trick on his first start in Spain has to bring some angst.
While it is easy to be angered by his performance, the fact of the matter is that he only had four goals for us this term before being dropped after a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta, so his contribution to us this term before being allowed to leave was nothing like his immediate impact for Barca.
On one hand, you can blame our tactics for his failings, but the fact is that Auba played down the middle of a front three on Sunday, not dissimilar to his role for us this season, but with much less output.
I personally think we play more as a unit in his absence, and it wouldn’t shock me if Auba had asked to leave the club in December. His contribution for our team simply hasn’t been enough considering the contract he was on, especially when remember his close-range misses in front of goal.
I don’t think his goals with Barca should really matter to the decision taken by Arsenal, but I understand that it makes sense to question the manager’s role in his failings in an Arsenal shirt this season.
Does it say more about Auba or Arsenal that he has nearly equalled his four league goals for us this term in just his first start for the Catalan club?
Patrick
Strikers like Aubameyang struggle under Arteta’s system. Not getting spaces or chances due to the possession style and playing from the wings and when they do get the rare chance they would be under immense pressure so they miss it.. It’s not Auba nor balogun when he played.. It’s the system.. We can even get by without a striker because of the way we play
The playing style in PL is different, MA is using different tactics and Auba didn’t offer much, he didn’t seem to be happy in his last few months.
Good decision for both of us, he is happy there and scoring and we are winning.
Then why was he firing before? It’s not about the Prem.. But the system we play.. Ironically Giroud would fit perfectly in our current system where his pace would not be an issue..
Auba’s strengths are finishing and going into pockets and spaces.
Arsenal’s games are either 60% (+ sometimes) possession against a low line of defence with no spaces or being out of possession against a stronger team when the team sucks at counters and transformations.
This what Arsenal lacks that teams like Liverpool thrive, transformations and creating spaces.
Until then it will be difficult for our strikers to score unless they are aerials winners and Box poachers and we know how to actually make a decent cross.
Thank you! People keep blaming Auba but he simply doesn’t fit in Arteta’s system nor any of our strikers.. Arteta’s system needs a giroud like player who can hold up play and good in the air.. Auba and Laca were both firing before Arteta so why were they struggling now after Arteta’s system was in place? Auba needs space and he doesn’t get it with Arteta.. And once he gets that rare chance he will bottle it because of the pressure of only getting a few chances per game.. The difference is Auba offers nothing to the game other than him exploiting spaces and scoring.. You take that from him he’s an average player and that’s exactly what happened in arsenal..
For a starter, he didn’t score a hat-trick!
Yesterday? He did. Pedris shot deflected on his back and it was given to Auba.
I was wondering how he was given a hat trick even after watching the replays umpteen times, so he scored 2 goals and was given a goal for trying to get out of the way of Pedri’s shot!
The last person who had contact with the ball before it goes into the net is the scorer, it doesn’t matter wether he was trying to dodge the ball.
Not at all, I’m watching La Liga almost every week and it’s not comparable with PL. The level has dropped and it’s not what it used to be. I think it’s a good decision for Auba to play there, he gets more time on the ball and could score many goals for Barca. I wish him all the best, but I don’t miss him.
This English arrogance. It’s so easy in Laliga yet Hazard, Coutinho and bale are struggling to keep up.
I think these three are all suffering from their “Massive Transfer Amounts” Living up to those amounts is very difficult, especially playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona.
When Bale Real joined it was Ronaldo’s team, and he was expected to just make goals for the self proclaimed King. They clashed, only one winner there!
When Coutinho joined Barca it was Messi’s team, and in many ways his style clashed with Messi. Only one winner there.
Hazard has other issues….. over and above his on pitch performances!
There are many reasons why these three have not lived up to their billing over and above not scoring goals..
So Ayyyy, I am sorry but I totally disagree with your bland statement. It is far too generalized!!!
I’m not English 🙂 I agree JW, several reasons why Coutinho was struggling in Barca, but finally the Barca supporters went against him like they did with André Gomes too (Everton).
Hazard has been a shadow of his old self and has only
delivered glimpses of greatness. He will soon be considered a very expensive flop. Arrived in a bad shape and hasn’t been looking happy since day three. (Sad story)
Bale was for several seasons very successful, started to behave disrespectful and got the supporters against him. Now he have got a nickname “the golfer”, and it’s not because he’s very useful 😉
I keep myself updated about Spanish football, used to live there for a while
Admin Pat strikes again. Another of my responses deleted.
Fair and Balanced Admin Pat
Amazingly quick turnaround!!
Thanks for the compliment..
I think you will find your comment was a response to another post I deleted. You were an unexpected victim.
Very true, 2 goals against an extremely poor side, Vanlecia who have conceded 42 goals second only to Levante, makes Auba look like Dusan over there.
he did not want to play for us DORTMUND comes mind he was a bad Egg in the dressing room like Dortmund and St Etienne we have a young and
impressable team he we play well for Barca and want this move at the start of season or Real where
your forwards dont have to work back like Arteta wants
No, because he was already given one and a half years to improve his discipline and performance. New players would normally like to impress their new manager, hence the increase of his efforts at Barcelona
Lacazette/ Aubameyang have played under four managers at Arsenal and we have been out of top four since they led our front line. A tall CF who does hold-up play very well is required for our transitional period, but Lacazette and Aubameyang are simply not that kind of CF
@ GAI, what is your opinion about Haller? I think he can fit into our style of play.
IN
Gnarby
Ndidi
Haller
My dream team
CF
Haller
Martinelli
Balogun
Atacking midfield/Wingers
Saka
Gnarby
ESR
Odegaard
Pepe
Central/ Defensive midfield
Partey
Lokonga
Ndidi
Elneny
OUT
Xhaka
Nketiah
Lacazette
AMN
Guendouzi
Torrera
Haller is tearing Eredivisie apart, but he’ll be 28 soon and he has a long term contract with Ajax. I’d prefer a younger player, to be able to sell him if he can’t adapt to Arteta’s tactics
Charles De Ketelaere seems to have the potential to be an excellent false nine and there might be some cheaper options in the summer
Yes Gai I hope our scouting team does a good work in the summer. Yes I know there are some hdden talented CF who will be young and cheaper. But I wish we could get Clevert Luise Everton he just fit the rypey of CF we need.
Our style of play and the way we attack did not help Auba at all. Arteta fell out with Auba and he has gone, that is fact. Our problem or not, is how much we gain or lose with Artetas inability to deal with “Situations” with players. Auba is a top striker not performing for us, Why? This isn’t an isolated incident and some would say trust the process but the process has to work better than it has the first two seasons.
100% Fact @Reggie. Their process better work or else they should pack. Xavi was a better player and he will be a better compared to what we have here. I have no doubt that he will bring out the best from Aubameyang.
Auba had stopped scoring but it wasn’t because he had lost his touch, that was/is obvious.
It’s too early to conclude, he has one decent game against a struggling Valencia team. I saw him play against Napoli last week not able influence at all. Struggling against composed and well organised teams, just like he did in the PL.
The guy had since 2020 when he extended his contract, from then he had been a joke. That like a season and a bit months of him coasting, on top of that he was still breaking the lateness rule according to rumours and arteta himself.
I am glad he is gone, he has moved on, good luck to him and can we also move on?
My grievance is with Arteta allowing him to leave for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. That’s sinful
He was on 350k a week, at Barca 120k roughly.
Getting that off our wage bill was huge for an underperfroming player who obviously didn’t want to be there but is suppose to be our best and highest earner.
He now has to put a shift in at the new club as he was comfortable at Arsenal where as at Barca he now needs to sharpen up again. Always the way, Auba is a great player when motivated, he is now at Barca so good luck to him.
We now concentrate on us and the Top4. Get Champions League and we will be able to afford any of the big strikers out there. Never know they may even want to come to Arsenal playing in Europes top table again.
Let’s move on from Auba, Thank/Wish him well as he did alot for the club when he arrived but now we concentrate on the club
Don’t care what he does at Barca now, he is no longer an Arsenal player.
Clearly a productive player, and his demise seem a bit premature based on his performance. The league is not as difficult as the PL, but someone of Auba’s ability should have produced more at Arsenal than 4 goals.
Auba’s fault? Arteta’s fault? The argument seems moot because he is gone, and placing blame one way or the other will not help Arsenal now.
Brilliantly summed up Durand in your post.
What is with this wishing he was still an Arsenal player when he’s gone elsewhere.? I couldn’t give two bob. I don’t see the point of comparing his weekend game with his latter performances for us. 2 different teams and two different leagues.
I’ll remember the good times but I’d prefer to look forward
Yep I agree. I appreciate how he helped Arsenal with FA Cup and the times he carried us on his back early in Arteta’s tenure.
Now he’s gone, so let’s focus on the squad now. I’d care more if he had 14 goals, but with 4 goals not like we’re crippled in our attack with him leaving.
Auba will always be a WC striker…. He hasn’t played UCL for years as an Arsenal player.
In Spain there’s a clear chance of UCL football with Barca, whereas with Arsenal the battle is far from over.
Barca will be in the champions league no matter what happens. Laliga will make it happen, but can you say the same for Arsenal?
He has watched this battle for the top 4 scenario play out under UE and MA, with 2 8th place finishes.
I don’t think he was convinced of the process working out this term and He wanted out, even took a pay cut to play for Barca tells you a lot.
I hope we prove him wrong tho, I’m only worried we’re jostling with ManU for that spot. A very influential team on and off the field littered with superstars with great mentality enough to see it out.
God help us!
Peformance wise Auba didn’t score a lot of goals for us this one and half year. Off-pitch he got some indisciplinary issues.
Arteta tried to give chance and even made him captain of the team.
Not sure if Auba didn’t fit Arteta tactics, but his inability to score goals like before that could only means one thing, Auba has to move away for good, both for him and club.
Ruing it? Definitely NOT! Celebrating it; definitely YES!
THAT AT LONG LAST WE HAVE ZERO IDLERS AND PLAYBOYS AT OUR CLUB IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!! HURRAY!!!!
His first goal alone shows if used right he scores goals .
Where as jordi Alba floated it over to Auba whos is always at his best playing off the shoulders of the defenders and you compare that to Artetas system which is to instruct your full backs to get to the byline and cross in endless balls .
It was never rocket science on how to get the best out of him ,unfortunately he didn’t fit our play style or lack of .
Now we are left with 2 CFs who have 4 PL goals between them all season and our both out of contract at seasons end .
Fans will blame Auba but in my opinion you have to look at other factors .
Agree DK.
Comment doesn’t make any sense. He missed a bucket load of sitters this season for us. Could he do better in Xavi’s system? Maybe. Did he have plenty of chances to score in our system? 100%.
All players Arteta has fallen out with have gone on to do well in other clubs. You can refuse that fact and you will be lying to no one but your own self.
If he doesn’t learn to deal with situations like Reggie said above there will always be a next player to fall out with. You can refuse that fact too and still you will be lying to no one but your own self.
So who is next?
But as long as he get that 4th who cares? It’s Kroenke loss anyway.
The fable top 4 HH
Where that was always the minimum we all craved and demanded now it’s the goal and that’s good enough .
Standards have dropped from certain sets of fans but personally for me top 4 was always the target and nothing less will do .
Hi Dan. My apologies for late reply. Without top 4 he has to go there is no argument about it. If he is still there I will start believing we have truly become a permanent mid table team. If he does achieve it though with the current strike force, he will have a huge respect from me.
“Standards have dropped from certain sets of fans”
They have been charmed nothing else because majority of them were the ones demanding more from the previous two managers. So when they say it’s about the team I don’t believe a word.
HH, who are all the players that have gone on to do well at other clubs after “falling out” with Arteta ?
Aubameyang, Guendouzi, Saliba etc and I promise you this if another manager get Pepe we are going to cry about what we have lost.
I’ll give you the first 2 players but that’s it. Saliba may well turn out to a top player, but his performances in Europe for Marseille this season prove he still has a lot to learn.
You all complain over little things, have you asked yourself why Pep in his first season with Barcelona first team chased away world class players like Ronaldinho, Deco, Yaya Toure et al and gave game time to the youth products of Messi, iniesta, Busquets et al, and he did same thing at Man City by selling off Joe Hart who was the first choice and a capable keeper at Man City , benched Yaya Toure and Aguero till they left the club and he gave game time to players that buys his idea.
So we should give Arteta time to work on what’s good for the club right now, and you all have forgotten that it’s the same Arteta that convinced Auba in signing his last contract right?
As long as he gets 4th who cares?
That is the crux of the matter and not who he apparently falls out with.
Will he be given a modicum of credit if he does finish 4th? I’m mindful of the big managerial names he is in the mix with right now and what that says about the progression of a new kid on the block against the serial winners at the top table at home and in Europe
Well said SueP 👍
If he gets it with our current strikers then he is on the way to achieve great things. If he fails and Arsenal keep him then the only way Arsenal will be going is down.
@Dan kit, did you really expect a novice manager to be pushing for top 4 so soon ? I certainly didn’t, and would prefer to see him and the squad to gain more experience in the EL before competing in the CL. Also I’d rather see us win a cup than finish 4th, as I’ve never been to a open top bus parade for finishing in the top 4.
No what I expected was our club to hire a proper top class manager not some novice as you put it.
This isn’t an early Learning centre it’s a club with high standards(or it was ) ,it’s a shame that a segment of fans have fallen for this bollocks that a manager who as failed us in 2 seasons (and been backed with countless funds )is some kind of genius .
You’re comment about you would rather win a cup than top 4just backs my comment up
You do realise that we are out of all cups after our embarrassing exit to a championship club in the FA cup ,like I said previous STANDARDS .
And if you have forgotten we was in the EL but we got embarrassed by the manager who Arteta took over from .
👍DK
Hadn’t forgotten about that, nor the embarrassing defeats under the previous manager in the UEFA Cup and the CL.
Why bring AW into it? He’s long gone.. Isn’t it the here and now that counts?
@SueP, to show that even an experienced manager can fail in cup games.
Er, where’s the P? Fair enough.. but with no European football this season, I expected us to take the competitions seriously!
I expected us to beat Forest, but then again I expected us to beat Swindon in ’69 and quiet a few others since then.
You got mixed up with the two Sues there Herr Drier
I just love your name!😊
My apologies. Glad you like the name, I expect you realise it’s a piss take.
Herr Dyson doesn’t have the same ring to it
😂😂
Admn Pat can you please give a link to one of those excellent and educative Ken articles? Herr Drier need to read the one on numerous defeats.
Spoiler alert! Fake news, myth, urban legends.
Yep, then I can rip it apart.
Here are a few….
https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenals-goals-dried-up-in-wengers-lost-decade-here-are-the-facts/281171
https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenals-numerous-and-humiliating-defeats-1-champions-league/277791
https://www.justarsenal.com/analysis-were-arsenal-always-humiliated-in-the-ecl-in-wengers-later-years/294063
The same manager who fluffed our own chances of finishing top 4 in his first season. Let’s not be too selective with memories.
Have you forgotten the said Manager that defeated Arteta in our last Europa semi final game was the same manager that received heavy thrashing in the Europa league final we lost 1-4 to Chelsea.
So what’s your point?
Not an early learning center you say, but when you look at our history of managers since Herbert Chapman died, you could say we are. Quite a few have had none or very little experience and gone on to win trophies with us.
Ahh, the defeat to Forest. A previous manager managed to lose against them in the same round iirc, also lost to Bradford in a semi final and a team that got relegated, Birmingham, in a final. Yeah STANDARDS.
Wrexham were a pain in the proverbial if I recall correctly
A previous manager as you put it also made us into the force we came to know.
Comparing a manger who gave us the fans the best team that played in the premier league going unbeaten and finding players for a pittance and turning them into world class players against a manager who’s biggest achievement is getting high earning players off the wage bill is a argument you cannot win buddy .
Like sue said above (not suep)
Why you have even brought Wenger into the conversation just shows how desperate some fans are to defend the indefensible.
Well I’ll do what I’ve always done and give the manager time. You on the other hand can carry on with your feeling of entitlement.
Did you see my reply to Sue (without a P) as to why I brought up Wenger ? Suck it up ‘buddy’.
That’s a great reply buddy G FCKING G
Someone who’s been asked
Questions and also had their questions answered comes back with “suck it up buddy “
Next time atleast try and and back up
You’re pathetic comments with just a little bit of football knowledge .
Good evening Mr DK
You always make a good read and you are very consistent on your views regarding MA.
I beleive he inherited a pitiful bunch of players who were cash hungry but failed to wear the badge with pride whilst taking the money.
I believe we will make top 4 come the end of year season and happy to go double or quits (for charity again of course) If you firmly believe we won’t get there.
The bunch we have playing for us now may lack experience but they have a heck a lot of backbone and are wearing the badge with pride now which makes me proud even at times when we fail to win
Time will tell and it is about baby steps but we are heading in the right direction
Any chance of you replying in the Queen’s English ?
Btw, I’ve forgotten more than you’ll ever know about football and The Arsenal !!
Appolgises
Went off on one
I am saying we will finish 4th at the end of the season
We had a bet at the start of the season for the sum of £100 sterling that we would finish 4th on the 1st jan 2022
I have to take your word that as you lost the bet you paid the sum of £100 to macmillan cancer due to you losing the bet.
I am saying double or quits that we finish in the top 4 come the end of the seasons.
Was that a bit clearer for you to read Mr kit
Double apologies Dan
It was HH having a go at you and you not replying to me 😄
Onwards and upwards
I don’t get it Allanball
I can verify that Dan sent me the 100 gbp and I donated it to Bob Wilsons Willow Foundation. I have proof…
Hi admin Pat
DK said if he lost , which he did 😀 he would pay up so no need for proof and by the way the Bob Wilson willow foundation is a great charity to donate too.
Well done both. Integrity and compassion. Love it.
Now now Mr Fox
Are you trying to stoke the fire
Yea good one hair dryer 🙄
Not sure I can reply to you Alanball if I’m tucked up in bed .
But your whole posts have lost me as it looks like you have muddled a few posters up .
The waves of that desperation are so strong I can feel them here thousands of miles away.
The team has done pretty well since abandoning Auba. Let him be.
He had all the chances but stressed the fans up with his misses.
He felt so self-sufficient with his huge paycheck and didn’t show any more commitment to the team.
Aterta did not structure arsenal’s attacking force to fit into Auba. At least Ian Wright has told us.
He will likely end with between 12 – 18 goals for Barca in all comptitions this term.
I personally wish him the best. It’s painful but we have to accept and move on for the sake of the club. It’s bigger than one man.
Tactically, Auba didn’t suit Arteta’s system, and he also clearly wasn’t the best role model for our very young and impressionable squad.
Although Laca isn’t scoring, at least he’s putting in a shift for the team. Auba offers next to nothing when not scoring. I think we far better, and stronger without Auba.
I’m a big fan of Auba, and for what he did for us, so I’m not going to hate on him. I am sad the why it ended, but it was the right time to part ways.
Don’t be surprised the same young squard you are mensioning, he will be the onw convincing them to join baca. This will haunt MA even more.
Let Arsenal continue in their top4 place finish push this season but relent in their push to finish there at season’s end.
Auba who has left Arsenal last January window is no longer relevant to Arsenal’s push to finish in the top4 places this season
as he has left our club for goods. Even when he was at Arsenal, the best he took the club to in Europe was an Europa League place finish. He has never lead to take Arsenal beyond Europa place finish in all the four-year spell he was at the club.
Though to his credit he did captained the Arsenal team that won the FA Cup and later the Charity Shield that followed and contributed immensely in terms goals scored towards the efforts of the Arsenal team that won these two titles. One of which the FA Cup saw Arsenal played in the Europa the following season. This came despite that the club had an 8th place finish League campaign season.
This I think does give credence to Auba’s time at Arsenal as mixed success. As he has moved on as a soldier who came to Arsenal but later left. But the Arsenal remains and moving on away from the Aubameyang’s sad ending episode at the club to move on.
But would Lacazette be called an Arsenal legend when he leaves the club to move on to the next chapter in his career? The way he has totally committed himself to play for Arsenal with desire ever since he worn the team’s captaincy armband temporarily and permanently till season’s ends suggests he still wants to remain at Arsenal beyond the expiration of his contract at the club that expires at the end of the season thiscalls for applause from us Gooners for him.
The guy has shown faith to the Arsenal cause as he has been playing tirelessly in the EPL for Arsenal trying hard to score goals but unfortunately missing sitters or have his goals ruled off. But he has 5 assists to his credit in the EPL for Arsenal so fat into the campaign this season. More goals and assists are being expected to come from him for Arsenal towardsa helping them in their push to attain a top4 place finish this season.
To me. Lacazette looks to be examplary Arsenal player who is worth emulating by other Arsenal players. And who looks to preferred leaving Arsenal peacefully but not in acrimonious manner. Otherwise, he would have left us last winter window to force a move away. What a gentleman Arsenal player is Lacazette!!!
A self-inflicted wound that’s not likely to go away anytime soon. The more backflips we see from our former striker in the Barcelona shirt, the more the pressure on our manager’s reckless decision to let the player leave – without finding a replacement.
Let Arsenal continue in their top4 place finish push this season but not relent in their push to finish there at season’s end.
Auba who has left Arsenal last January window is no longer relevant to Arsenal’s push to finish in the top4 places this season
as he has left our club for goods. Even when he was at Arsenal, the best he took the club to in Europe was an Europa League place finish. He has never lead to take Arsenal beyond Europa place finish in all the four-year spells he was at the club.
Though to his credit he did captained the Arsenal team that won the FA Cup and later the Charity Shield that followed. And he contributed immensely in terms pf goals scored towards the efforts of the Arsenal team that won these two titles. One of which the FA Cup saw Arsenal played in the Europa the following season. This came despite that the club had an 8th place finish League campaign season.
This I think does give credence to Auba’s time at Arsenal as mixed success. As he has moved on as a soldier who came to Arsenal but later left. But the Arsenal remains and moving on away from the Aubameyang’s sad ending episode at the club to move on and are moving on.
But would Lacazette be called an Arsenal legend when he leaves the club to move on to the next chapter in his career? The way he has totally committed himself to play for Arsenal with desire ever since he worn the team’s captaincy armband first temporarily and later permanently till season’s ends suggests he still wants to remain at Arsenal beyond the expiration of his contract at the club that expires at the end of the season this calls for applause from us Gooners for him.
The guy has shown faith to the Arsenal cause as he has been playing tirelessly in the EPL for Arsenal trying hard to score goals and he has accounted for 3 of Arsenal EPL goals scored this season. But unfortunately he has missed sitters or have his goals ruled off in games for the club this season . But he has 5 assists to his credit in the EPL for the team so fat into the campaign this season. More goals and assists are being expected to come from him for Arsenal towardsa helping them in their push to attain a top4 place finish this season.
To me. Lacazette looks to be examplary Arsenal player who is worth emulating by other Arsenal players. And who looks to preferred leaving Arsenal peacefully but not in acrimonious manner. Otherwise, he might have left us last winter window to force a move away. What a gentleman Arsenal player that Lacazette is!!!
There’s a time for everything, and no it’s time to wish Auba all the best and move on. COYG
A yawn fest. Why are we even having these discussions. They are not fun and more than likely propaganda for the process, whatever that may be. Auba has moved on, is probably in a happier place and I wish him well. Although not impressed by his ability to hide
or fail to harass defenders, I would rate him much higher than the failure that is Lackofgoals. Whether Arsenal can get away with having to rely on him and steady Eddie to stay in top four contention remains to be seen. As someone who likes a punt I would say no, however Arsenal do have Martinellii, Saka and ESR who are the real future of this club. In case the Artetaheads haven’t noticed, Smith Rowe is possibly more highly regarded by non Arsenal fans than our own. Pro Arteta bias once again? In any case these lads along with a resurgent Pepe could get the job done. If so we know that Arteta will take all the credit.
We wish Auba all the best in his new club. But the fact remains that we are happy to miss him here.
Not since yesterday has Auba been so useless in Arsenal jersey that the only thing he offered were the goals he scored. But then his wages became arms twisting, and worse the goals disappeared. We took the best decision on an expensive liability, and why some people are crying now is so upsetting.
I admit to feeling a pang of resentment when hearing about his goals the other day. Partly because of how he left, partly because he stopped scoring for us.
With that said, I think we should all move past it. It wasn’t working, even without the disciplinary issues. I hope we can all wish him well at barca and remember the good times.