Arsenal have been linked with many strikers this transfer window. With Arsenal director Lord Harris recently coming out to say Arsenal have £200m to spend, it has only increased and intensified speculation. One of the many strikers constantly being linked with Arsenal this summer is Borussia Dortmund & Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Would the Dortmund forward be the right signing for Arsenal to spearhead their attack and help them win their first league title in 11 years?
Aubameyang managed to score 17 goals in 39 games in a not so impressive Dortmund side last season, who only managed to qualify for the Europa League. One attribute that Aubameyang is well known for is his lightning pace, he is so quick that it constantly troubles defences and enables him to create chances, leading to a fair amount of goals. He is arguably one of the most dangerous players in Europe when it comes to counter-attacking football. However, Aubameyang is often criticised when it comes to his end product. His Usain Bolt like pace should secure him at least 20 goals a season, taking how many chances he gets into consideration. Disappointingly, Aubameyang has never managed over 20 goals in one season during his career…something which Arsenal should take a deep look at, if they really are showing an interest in the Gabon striker.
Will Aubameyang be an upgrade on Olivier Giroud or Danny Welbeck is another massive factor Arsenal should take into consideration. If you compare the Frenchman and Aubameyang statistically, the Gabon man really isn’t any upgrade to Giroud at all, with the Arsenal forward netting 18 goals last season (one more than Aubameyang). So looking at it this way, Aubameyang wouldn’t be the striker Arsenal need. Welbeck and Aubameyang also have a very similar playing style – bags of pace, but lack that clinical finish. Ultimately, this is what categorises a world class striker and a good striker. Clinical finishing and goalscoring when your team needs it most is what wins and saves titles.
Aubameyang is not the striker that Arsenal should try to sign. He is very similar to other strikers in the squad and is not a proven goalscorer, which is what Arsenal need to mount a serious title challenge next season. Arsenal can also try to sign a better alternative to Aubameyang, for example Karim Benzema – a proven goalscorer with tons of experience who has almost won it all at club level, definitely a player Wenger should go all out to sign. If the Gabon forward signs for Arsenal, he should become a back up for the likes of Benzema. Even though he is not a goalscoring machine, he is still only 26, which means he still has a lot of time to develop and add a clinical nature to his game.
Despite Aubameyang not being the forward who can deliver Arsenal the title, he is still a good option for the club to consider.
