Mikel Arteta has revealed that it’s ‘very possible’ he’ll change Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s position when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and beyond that.
The Express quote the former Manchester City coach as saying: ‘Yes that’s a very possible thing. It will depend on the games, it will depend on who he’s surrounded with. I think it’s very important to see who is around him and why we’re doing it.’
For much of Arteta’s reign, the Gabon international has been playing as a left-sided forward.
The former Borussia Dortmund attacker played in that role in last season’s FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City, scoring twice to help the Gunners go on to win the cup as WhoScored shows.
However, he has only scored one Premier League goal this season in the role, and hasn’t scored a league goal since the opening day win over Fulham.
Judging by his quotes, it seems as if Arteta is more than aware of this dilemma, hence his consideration at altering Aubameyang’s role.
There’s not an awful lot wrong with the former AS Saint-Etienne striker playing out wide, although as we saw against Leicester, it nullifies him at times.
Aubameyang had no shots on target against the Foxes while playing on the right, as WhoScored shows.
He only had 36 touches of the ball in 90 minutes, as he had to help track back against James Maddison and James Justin.
It will be interesting to see what the man who cost Arsenal £56 million can do in the centre at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin proving deliveries for him.
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