Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not save Arsenal football club yet again as his inconsistency in the 2020-2021 season continues. He was expected to be the leader of the setup of coach Mikel Arteta’s team against Manchester City on Sunday but such ‘superpower’ was not seen in Arsenal’s 1-0 loss.
Manchester City visited the Emirates Stadium with a 24-match unbeaten run and coach Pep Guardiola set up his team in such a way that Arsenal and their talisman, Aubameyang, scored no goal.
The Spanish coach assigned two of his defenders, John Stones, and Ruben Dias to put Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in check throughout the Premier League match. The defenders did the job so well that the 31-year-old Gabonese striker did not record any shot on target. City left Emirates Stadium with their unbeaten run fully intact.
Aubameyang who is known for his astounding run on the ball and ability to shoot the ball from tight angles, could not perform any magic on and off the ball.
At the end of 90 minutes, only Raheem Sterling’s second-minute goal made all the difference as the downward movement of Arsenal continued.
11 consecutive away victories ✅
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2021
18 straight wins in all competitions ✅
25 matches unbeaten ✅
Watch the highlights from our latest win!
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/tD4aNRxVgy
The victory over Arsenal has extended Manchester City’s lead on the Premier League table to 59 points in 25 games, 10 points away from second-placed Manchester United.
City’s victory over Arsenal on Sunday means that the North London club have to keep fighting to get at least a Europa League slot. Mikel Arteta and his boys are currently sitting on the 10th spot with 34 points in 25 games. They are 11 points away from 4th placed West Ham United.
Based on the fact that Arsenal are playing well but are not always scoring goals when it matters, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is always singled out for criticism.
Even though he scored his first hat-trick in the Premier League against Leeds United on February 14, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder, Jamie Redknapp believes that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has “past his best”.
“I saw him run past people when he first came to the Premier League. I saw him run past people at Dortmund. Now I’m seeing a player who looks like he’s going to get bullied”, Redknapp said after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat in the hands of Manchester City.
“He’s your leading light, but the likes of [Bukayo] Saka and [Emile] Smith Rowe, they’re the ones leading the way.”
So far in the 2020-2021 season, Aubameyang has managed to score 8 goals and provide an assist in 21 Premier League games. He has scored 11 goals in all competitions after a total number of 25 appearances.
It is believed that the Gabon international would not be able to reach the 29 goals he recorded last season in all competitions if his inconsistent run of form continues. And if he fails to do that, it might not be too good for Arsenal at the end of the season.
