Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given an insight into the Arsenal dressing room which has explained one of Mikel Arteta’s most criticised decisions at the Emirates
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Mikel Arteta has received his fair share of criticism since taking over as Arsenal manager, but one of his most hotly-debated decisions now appears to be paying off.
With Granit Xhaka stripped of the captaincy late 2019, star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was somewhat surprisingly given the armband by Unai Emery.
The 32-year-old goalscorer may boast plenty of top-level experience, but fans were skeptical of his off-the-pitch qualities.
However, Arteta stuck to his predecessor and compatriot’s call when he took over shortly after.
It initially appeared to be an error, with the Gunners finishing eight in the Premier League last season and Aubameyang faltering in front of goal.
Now, though, sitting six points behind league leader Chelsea off the back of three successive wins, the feel-good factor is encompassing at the Emirates.
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And Aubameyang’s leadership appears to be a big part of the mood, with the man himself lifting back the curtain of his influential role in the dressing room which Arteta has previously praised.
“To tell the truth I try to be an example,” he explained, speaking to Arsenal’s website.
“I think that is the most important part of being a captain and trying to inspire the young people in the squad but also the older people as well. I try to give my best and give whatever I can for the club.
“This is the job, when you are the captain, this is the job: you have to take it, to accept it and deal with it. It’s a nice job, it is the nicest job in football. Definitely.”
The Gabon hitman was among the senior group of players who pundits and supporters alike questioned during the Gunners’ torrid start to the season.
Club legends Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn – the latter of whom wanted Kieran Tierney to be handed the armband – were critical in the opening weeks, and Aubameyang has acknowledged there is still room improvement in his leadership.
“I think it’s really important [to speak to the team] and I think everyone is expecting me to communicate a lot but I’m a quiet guy, a shy guy, but that’s okay!” the former Borussia Dortmund forward admitted.
“I try to improve on that and definitely I try to speak, most importantly in the dressing room, I think that is the biggest part for me.
“I try always to be positive and give support to the guys,” he added. “My door is always open.
“When we struggle, I just like to say a few words to the guys and try to give them positive things in their mind. In my mind, even if it’s just two or three words, this can change something and maybe it’s a good thing.”
Arteta himself certainly feels vindicated in his decision, notably expressing his delight when the skipper scored and led from the front in the north Londoners’ 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in October.
“I wouldn’t go to the goals, again it is what Auba is transmitting on the pitch,” the Spaniard stated post-match.
“I have never seen Auba transmit what he is doing now.
“Apart from the goals, the celebration when they put the ball in the net, do you see the way he runs, the purpose he has to press the ball, and when he takes it his movement, his link, how is leading the game?
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“That is when he is changing the rest, not when he is static and then he puts the ball in the net. I prefer this Auba.
“For me it is a click. It is a combination that realising that his role has to go well beyond that.
“What was good, or very good, two or three years ago, with his role in this team, at this club, it is not enough. He had to take a step forward.”
Arsenal are certainly taking a step forward right now but time with tell whether Aubameyang’s leadership can bring more trophies to the Emirates, having led the Gunners to an FA Cup triumph in 2020.