Ian Wright says Arsenal have an ‘absolute beast’ in their ranks, feels Arteta is wasting him

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reminded Arsenal fans of his ruthless nature in front of goal in midweek.

Arsenal hammered West Brom 6-0 in the EFL Cup and the Gunners’ go-to-guy for goals only went and bagged himself a hat-trick.

Aubameyang only managed 15 goals in all competitions last season, which is a huge drop-off in comparison to his haul of 29 during the 2019-20 campaign.

The former Borussia Dortmund hitman is capable of much more than he showed last term.

The 32-year-old is a number nine and an exceptional one, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta often prefers to use him on the flanks in a decision which has infuriated fans of the North London club over the past 12 months or so.

Ian Wright is someone who knows a thing or two about finding the net for the Gunners, having been their record goalscorer at one point before Thierry Henry.

And the iconic striker claims that Aubameyang is an ‘absolute beast’ but only when used in his best position, suggesting that the Spanish coach hasn’t been utilising the player correctly.

He told The Kelly and Wrighty show: “For me, Aubameyang down the centre with people like Saka, Smith Rowe and Odegaard trying to feed him. All of his goals he scored were him coming on to the things in the box, arriving in the box, not on the wings. That’s where he’s most dangerous.

“Arsenal haven’t catered to that. To feed into a striker who is an absolute beast when you get him [good] service. He devours it. We’re not seeing enough of it.”

City test

Arsenal are away to Manchester City this afternoon and what a chance for the Gabon international to prove that he is still a beast in English football.

He scored twice against Pep Guardiola’s side in an FA Cup semi-final victory in 2020, which was only about 13 months ago.

If Arsenal are going to return to London with anything from today’s game – and it’s a big IF – then Aubameyang has to perform and there’s more chance of that if he’s played through the middle, not out wide.