Jack Wilshere has questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to take off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when Arsenal desperately needed a goal in their Europa League tie versus Villarreal, speaking to talkSPORT (7 May, 9am).
If one game summed up Aubameyang’s entire season, it was last night.
As Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League with a whimper, their Gabonese superstar once more resembled a pale imitation of his once ruthless self.
Aubameyang still came closer than anyone on the night, however, hitting the post in the first half with a fizzing volley before rattling the frame again with a towering header during the second.
But with Arsenal needing a goal to secure their place in the final, the increasingly under-fire Arteta made the surprising decision to take off his most potent threat with ten minutes remaining, introducing Alexandre Lacazette in Aubameyang’s place.
The Gunners skipper has now scored just twice in his past ten games, although Wilshere believes the £56 million forward wasn’t solely to blame at the Emirates as Unai Emery triumphed at the home of his old employers.
“I felt a bit sorry for Aubameyang. He didn’t have much service and he did look the most dangerous when they were in the final third,” says Wilshere, who is now playing Championship football at Bournemouth. “I’m sure he will be frustrated. He looked frustrated when he came off.
“But Mikel is the manager and he’s the one who’s got to make those decisions. I probably would have brought Lacazette on and kept Aubameyang on – but (Arteta) has got to live with that now.”
That most drab and uninspiring of goalless draws means Arsenal will be without European football next season for the first time since 1995/96 – the year before Arsene Wenger arrived at Highbury.
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