Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been ‘different class’ since joining Barcelona on a free transfer from Premier League giants Arsenal, Terry Gibson says on El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast.
One swing of his right boot. That is all Aubameyang needed to turn what was, at best, a half chance into the most picture-perfect of goals during Barcelona’s 4-2 Europa League victory away at Napoli last week.
In his last three games for the Catalan giants, Aubameyang has scored more goals (five) than he managed in his final nine outings as an Arsenal player.
Mikel Arteta never admit of course. But, as Alexandre Lacazette continues to spurn chance after chance, could the Gunners boss be made to pay for the decision to terminate the contract of his most naturally-gifted finisher with half the season remaining?
“His finish, against Napoli, that was awesome,” says Gibson, a former Tottenham and Manchester United forward turned La Liga expert.
“Because there’s no touch to control the ball and most strikers would’ve needed a touch to control that ball. And he puts it right in the top corner from outside the penalty area, without even thinking about it.”
Will Arsenal reach the Champions League without Aubameyang?
Aubameyang’s Stadio San Paolo screamer was not the first wondergoal of his Barcelona career either.
Racing onto a long ball behind the Valencia defence, the Gabon international finished with unerring accuracy into the top corner, his first of a Mestalla hat-trick.
“The first goal he scored against Valencia as well,” Gibson adds. “It’s a decent chance and one you’d think he’s got a good chance of scoring. But he picks out the top corner at the near post.
“It’s funny because, as a Spurs fan, I wasn’t allowed to have any opinion of Aubameyang. Other than he played for Arsenal! But now, as a neutral, you can see he’s different class.”
Aubameyang is now the first player in the 21st Century to hit a hat-trick in the Premier League, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and La Liga.
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