Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a shadow of his former self | OneFootball

Lurking within Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is an inner child. He is happy when at his most playful but stroppy and dejected when he doesn’t get what he wants.

At the moment, all the Gunners skipper wants is a goal, something that has failed to elude him for the vast majority of his career.

The Gabon international is a ruthless finisher, well so we thought he was anyway. He has found the net on 92 occasions in 162 outings for Arsenal, a record that many will rightfully stand and applaud.

Yet, throughout the current campaign, his level of finishing has been average at best.

He got his account up and running by scoring a hat-trick against West Brom in the Carabao Cup but we’ve not seen the best of him since.

Should Arsenal upgrade on Auba?

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Aubemeyang missed a gilt-edged opportunity from just a matter of yards out in the win over Newcastle last weekend and on Thursday night in the defeat to Manchester United, he was sloppy again.

The striker was fortunate to find himself offside at one moment in the second half, having his blushes spared after missing a tame opportunity when one-on-one with David De Gea following a cross into the area.

There was a sheer lack of conviction to his game and that was typified late on in the match. Gabriel Martinelli drove forward with youthful enthusiasm, taking several United players out of the equation.

However, after finding the club captain and making a darting run into the penalty box, Aubameyang ignored the young Brazilian and instead struck a tame effort right at the goalkeeper.

We are so used to seeing a ruthless finisher inside the 32-year-old but it’s got to a point where if Arsenal are going to have any chance of finishing in the top four, they need to sign a goal scorer. Dusan Vlahovic anyone?

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The Fiorentina livewire has been sensational this term and while being linked with a move to the Premier League, has scored 14 goals already in 2021/22.

A devastating finisher like the Serbian would surely go down a treat at the Emirates, especially when you consider the elusive nature of Aubameyang.

He was the very definition of enigmatic on Thursday evening, not only squandering chances to score but failing to press or hold the ball up in a pretty lethargic performance. It was Martin Odegaard who gave away the decisive penalty but it may not have been so crucial had his colleague leading the line turned up at Old Trafford.

Come full time, the attacker had registered just 28 touches of the football, which was 19 fewer than goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Furthermore, the Gunners talisman only registered 14 passes and won a mere 33% of his physical battles as he was bullied by Harry Maguire and co.

On this evidence, Arsenal need an upgrade, and they need it quick if they are to have a successful season. Aubameyang has offered plenty to this team down the years; he’s won them an FA Cup final and scored some devastating goals but it might just be time to move on.

At the moment, Arteta is clearly being let down by his main man.