Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits his ‘biggest concern’ is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s alarming slump in front of goal, before insisting ‘he needs to be scoring if we want to be successful’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shared his worries over talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s alarming form in front of goal following yet another defeat.
The Gunners fell to a harrowing 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday evening, which marked their fifth loss of the season already after just 10 matches.
But once again, it was the form of Arsenal’s attack – and most significantly Aubameyang’s struggles – that was the major talking point following the defeat.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again cut an isolated figure as Arsenal lost 2-1 vs Wolves
Aubameyang hasn’t scored in open play since the opening day of the season against Fulham and on Sunday, he had just one shot on target and had only nine touches in Wolves’ penalty area.
And Arteta has since admitted he is concerned by Aubameyang’s slump, claiming the rest of the team need to find a way to get him firing once again.
Asked if he was worried, Arteta said: ‘I think we all are because the main goalscorer of the club at the moment isn’t scoring goals, so my biggest concern is how to help him more to score goals because we need his goals.
‘How important Auba has been for this club in the last two years and how the goal sheet has been shared among the squad tells you his importance.
‘He needs to be scoring goals if we want to be successful.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta desperately needs to get Aubameyang firing on all cylinders again
During Aubameyang’s first full season with the club, he scored 22 of Arsenal’s 73 goals in the 2018-19 campaign before netting another 22 last term as the Gunners only fired home 56 overall.
But this season, the Gabon striker has only scored twice in 10 Premier League encounters.
The Gunners – who are a lowly 14th in the table – have only scored 10 times overall, with only the bottom four scoring fewer so far.
Arsenal’s point tally of 13 from 10 matches has also signalled the club’s slowest start to a campaign since 1981.
And things get no easier for Arsenal as they face a short trip to north London rivals Tottenham next Sunday in the Premier League.
Daniel Podence struck home a fine winner for Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday
