Aubameyang had the same experience as Ozil at Arsenal

DBasia.news – On week 16 of the Premier League, Arsenal returned to their winning streak when they hosted Southampton at the Emirates Stadium, Saturday (11/12) night WIB. The Gunners won by a landslide score of 3-0.

Alexandre Lacazette (21′), Martin Odegaard (27′) and Gabriel Magalhaes (62′) scored three goals for Arsenal. A deserved win with 62% of ball possession, 15 kicks (five on target).

“Yes, in the first 15 minutes we started the game feeling a little nervous, we gave some challenging shots and we were unable to dominate the game. After that I think we took the rhythm of the game,” said Mikel Arteta commenting on his team’s victory.

“We scored a great goal and after that we started to dominate the game better and better. After the first half we pushed the players forward, and tried to be a threat and attack them.”

“I think we did really well and we created more chances to score more goals. So I think overall, and after the defeat, I think it’s good to show a performance like that, and a result like this.”

The result was indeed needed by Arsenal after swallowing three defeats from the last four Premier League matches, plus one victory. Arsenal are currently sixth in the standings with 26 points and one point adrift of West Ham United in fourth.

But the highlight of the match was on the figure of Gabon national team striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving Arsenal

The 32-year-old striker, who is actually Arsenal’s captain, has been in the spotlight this season. His form has dropped drastically and so far Aubameyang has only scored seven goals and provided two assists in 15 matches.

Arteta expects more from Aubameyang not only to carry out his duties as a goalscorer, but also to be an example for Arsenal’s youth squad.

Instead of trying to find rhythm again, Aubameyang was late to join the squad which resulted in Arteta dropping him from the squad against Southampton.

“Unfortunately (Aubameyang’s dismissal) was due to a disciplinary violation,” Arteta said before the Southampton game.

“I think we’ve been very consistent that we have non-negotiable things in the team we’ve defined as a club, and he wasn’t involved today.

“It’s certainly not an easy situation, or one that we would like to have captained our club into.”

No doubt Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are now facing the same situation as Mesut Ozil, who is also Arsenal’s biggest salary inspector like Aubameyang.

Ozil, who has defended Arsenal since 2013 under Arsene Wenger, finally left for Fenerbahce in 2021. At that time Arteta also kept him in reserve, not including him in the squad because his work ethic was not considered good enough for Arsenal.

A similar fate has now happened to Aubameyang. Moreover, without his presence Arsenal could win 3-0 over Southampton and it shows, the club is fine without Aubameyang.

Aubameyang’s contract lasts until 2023 and he is renowned in Europe. If the heated situation between him and Arteta continues, it is possible for Aubameyang to follow Ozil’s footsteps from Arsenal.