When a new manager walks in through the door, the first thing they inevitably try and do is stamp their authority. Whether it’s through insisting that everybody starts with a clean slate, or laying down a few home truths, it’s the moment where the squad can find out the kind of character and personality that the man on the touch-line will bring.
And in Mikel Arteta’s case, he could put down a real marker by not taking any passengers. Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is keen to leave the club in search of a team where he can compete for trophies, and that he has no intention of signing an extension on a contract that runs out in the summer of 2021.
Watch Arsenal Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
On the face of it, it looks like a disastrous set of circumstances for the north Londoners. After all, the Gabon international was a joint-winner of the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, and has been similarly prolific this year too, notching 13 goals across all competitions. The £63m-rated star has proven himself to be an elite goal-scorer at this level, and it wouldn’t be a major stretch of the imagination to suggest the Gunners would be in a far worse off position without their top marksman.
Watch Bournemouth vs Arsenal Live and Free with Amazon Prime on Boxing Day
But with Arteta’s appointment, comes with the chance for the north London side to establish an identity. Under Unai Emery, they were chameleon-like, trying to adapt to opposition teams. Wins came about through sheer individual brilliance from the likes of Aubameyang than well-worked team goals or patterns. Just look at the former Borussia Dortmund man’s late magic to conjure up a victory against Aston Villa, or even Nicolas Pepe’s dramatic two free-kicks to rescue a win against Vitoria. But with the former Manchester City assistant’s arrival, that could change massively. And Arsenal’s front man could be the surprising casualty.
In an interview with Arsenal magazine before his retirement as a professional footballer, Arteta insisted that as a manager, he would demand unwavering commitment and a hard-working attitude. He said: “I will have everyone 120 per cent committed. That’s the first thing. If not, you don’t play for me. When it’s time to work it’s time to work, and when it’s time to have fun then I’m the first one to do it, but that commitment is vital.”
Can you name all of these obscure Arsenal signings? Give it a go now!
In essence, simply scoring goals won’t be the be-all and end-all with Arteta. Players will need to show their work ethic on and off-the-pitch, and for all of Aubameyang’s predatory instincts, his lack of defensive tenacity raises a major question. As per Sofascore, he wins just 33% of his total duels, makes 0.8 tackles, and gets dribbled past 1.1 times on average in a Premier League game this season. Contrast that to strike partner Alexandre Lacazette, who averages 44%, one tackle, and 0.3 dribbled past per game.
If Arteta stays true to his earlier words in terms of demanding players show their utmost desire and commitment, then Aubameyang could find himself given the cold shoulder. There can be no room for any passengers, and that could well represent bleak times for the Gunners’ top goal-scorer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans react to their former target’s commanding display in the Bundesliga.