Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes with baggage, as the spotlight falls on Barcelona’s new signing to prove they got it right by bringing him on board.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from Arsenal caused some distress among fans, although much of the fanbase remained calm during deadline day. A majority of the supporters were happy to see the back of their former captain and his massive £350,000-a-week wages, while some claim the team will miss the striker’s qualities on the pitch.
Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in early December for reasons which have become clear now. As Arsenal put out a statement following the decision, they pointed towards the Gabonese striker’s ‘latest disciplinary issue’, which suggested it was not the first time this happened. He was also dropped last season on the eve of the North London Derby for something similar.
Between Aubameyang being left in the cold by Arsenal and his subsequent departure, Mikel Arteta’s iron fisted rule over the squad became abundantly clear. The Spanish manager is running the rule in north London and has no room for poor discipline within the team, and the players are right behind their boss.
As Aubameyang leaves Arsenal, he starts a new chapter after agreeing a deal to join Barcelona. The 32-year-old forward will be hoping to rediscover his deadly form in front of the goal, which attracted the La Liga heavyweights towards him in the first place.
Official: Barcelona confirm Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capture
While the last 18 months at Arsenal have been nothing short of disastrous, it has to be noted that Aubameyang went through plenty of troubles off the pitch. Malaria, COVID-19, tending to his sick mother, among other things, threatened to derail the Gunners’ huge investment in the striker. While the north Londoners may be a happy bunch right now, what can Barcelona expect from the 32-year-old striker?
What happened to goal-happy Aubameyang at Arsenal?
Fans, experts and pundits can only sit around their tables or smartphone screens to speculate what Aubameyang could bring to the table in Catalonia. Some may argue his goals tally is not as bad as it has been made out to be this season, as the Gabonese forward has seven strikes in 15 games in all competitions, including a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion.
But he had scored just four goals in the Premier League prior to his departure, which is terrible considering his goalscoring prowess. Aubameyang had consistently been among some of the top scorers in Europe in his prime, and Arsenal benefited from it until they decided to offer him a new contract.
The bumper contract came at the end of the 2019/20 season, in which Aubameyang was also named club captain. The English media, football pundits and fans like to exert the salary figure in every conversation regarding the player, especially whenever they play badly. Aubameyang was not exempted from the drill, as the pressure seemed to have weighed on his otherwise flexible shoulders.
Arteta was the voice that vouched for this new contract, and it seemed to work initially. Some would like to point the finger at Mesut Ozil’s plight, and a similar pattern ensued as Aubameyang’s form began wearing off. Arsenal’s faltering performances on the pitch coincided with that of their captain’s, and after 18 months without progress, the manager had no choice but to make the decision.
Have Barcelona made the right call on Aubameyang?
Aubameyang left Arsenal early for the Africa Cup of Nations; he attracted more controversy as he was released from the national side without even kicking a ball. Disciplinary issues and a suspected heart lesions problem were cited by the Gabon head coach. Aubameyang has since declared he is free of any health woes, but the off-field problems have persisted to some degree.
As rumours of a move away from Arsenal gained heat, two of Europe’s biggest clubs in Barcelona and Juventus were linked with him. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, both those clubs conducted a thorough vetting of Aubameyang’s character, found nothing that questions his professional conduct, and showed no inclination towards having a problem with his off-field activities.
Aubameyang has always been a great leader whenever featuring at a big club like Borussia Dortmund or Arsenal. His way of dealing with youngsters at each club have been fruitful for the teams, as he tends to comfort and mentor those prodigies around him.
Ousmane Dembele at Borussia Dortmund, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal are prime examples of youngsters flourishing alongside Aubameyang. It is not a coincidence that those players reached a good level after receiving Aubameyang’s guidance, and many have repeatedly reiterated the striker’s contributions on social media platforms.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/3IlCoyNwDw
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 2, 2022
Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez is a budding project, full young players and in need of leaders such as Aubameyang in their surroundings. The 32-year-old, with his extroverted character, seems to benefit such players rather than be a bad influence. Hence, for the Blaugrana, it is vital to bring in a player of his stature that could push the young players a bit more towards becoming stars.
The likes of Memphis Depay or Luuk de Jong have failed to inspire them much. Considering Aubameyang’s track record and what he brings to the table when dealing with youth players and nurturing them, Barcelona may have struck the right chord by bringing him over and ending his Arsenal nightmare.
What will Aubameyang bring to the pitch for Barcelona?
Barcelona fans have been somewhat receptive to the idea after growing discontent with the prospect of watching Depay or Luuk de Jong lead the line. First and foremost, Aubameyang is certainly an upgrade on their current options and is in line to start leading from the front at the club.
Additionally, the former Arsenal forward could be looking at a new lease of life without the pressure of captaincy, uncertainty, and a huge salary hanging over his head. From the experience of watching him in his early Arsenal days, the striker has not downgraded physically and could find his scoring boots sooner than anticipated.
Aubameyang will bring plenty of goals, and the system under Xavi will be integral to unlocking the potential that had waned under Arteta. The Gabonese star should succeed at Camp Nou and score plenty of goals. He has been relatively injury-free, and during some games for the Gunners this season, he has shown his ability to last till the final whistle. So fitness-wise, he remains in strong shape.
?????? ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/CZnu0kD3ye
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2022
While there were offers from the Middle East, which would have been financially beneficial for Aubameyang and Arsenal, the striker chose to build on his legacy and continue playing at the highest level. It shows a certain commitment rarely found among athletes.
His superior physical shape was also acknowledged by Barcelona, who have reportedly given him a deal until 2025. All in all, Aubameyang should push the club towards achieving some success on the pitch, which is what Xavi wants in the short to mid-term future of the club.
Will disciplinary issues follow Aubameyang to Camp Nou?
Back in December, when it became increasingly clear that Mikel Arteta was not going to pick Aubameyang anymore, the words ‘disciplinary issue’ were spoken in the same breath as the striker everywhere. Arsenal legend Ian Wright said the forward had a colourful personality, but in reality, he was a family man, as the pundit shrugged off suggestions of any ill-doings.
On the other hand, with his well-documented comments, Michael Zorc had stated the opposite before Aubameyang’s transfer to Arsenal in 2018. He mentioned punctuality and disciplinary problems, among other things, which has somewhat resonated with whatever Arsenal suggested after stripping him of the captaincy.
It may seem like a pattern as those troubles seem to follow the striker wherever he goes. For Aubameyang, getting a grip on those problems should be key to continuing playing at the highest level. He is coming from one strict regime under Arteta to an even more stringent one under Xavi at Barcelona.
One of the first things Xavi has done since his appointment is to put several rules that are not meant to be breached. Another perceived troublemaker Ousmane Dembele has already faced the wrath of his new manager, who seems to have his own set of ‘non-negotiables’ at the club.
Xavi has already set rules for players to arrive well before time and follow necessary protocols. He has already shown a no-tolerance policy towards those breaking the chain, and that now includes Aubameyang, too. Being the star name he is, the experienced forward could soon find that out the hard way; things will be no different in that aspect over at Camp Nou.
Aubameyang should prove to be a good addition, although conditions apply.
If Aubameyang starts banging in the goals, he will quickly become a cult figure in Catalonia. Since Lionel Messi’s departure, the club’s fans have missed a good attacking leader, and the Gabonese forward could somewhat fill the void. Without comparing those two, the key for the former Arsenal man here is to find the back of the net regularly.
He has to be more disciplined in his conduct, especially when it comes to off-field activities. Xavi could either become a mentor or his arch-enemy in no time, depending on Aubameyang’s performances on all sides of the stadium.
Barcelona have got themselves a formidable goalscorer in the striker, who remains eager to make his mark in Spain. He should be a successful acquisition for the club and help them rise to a level better than they currently find themselves at. As for his problems, only time will tell whether he has left them behind in north London or packed them with him on his way to Catalonia.
