Martin Keown said on BT Sport/ESPN (7:49pm, March 18, 2021) that being left out against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend affected Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tonight.
Aubameyang was an unused substitute during Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Tottenham in the North London derby last weekend.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta left the 31-year-old out of the starting lineup for the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium due to disciplinary reasons.
The Gabon international striker reportedly arrived late for the game. Arsenal won the derby 2-1, with Aubameyang not coming on as a substitute.
The 31-year-old striker was back in the starting lineup for the Gunners’ Europa League Round of 16 second-leg tie against Olympiacos this evening.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker missed some very good chances, leaving Arsenal legend Keown far from impressed.
Keown said on BT Sport/ESPN (7:49pm, March 18, 2021) “We learnt Aubameyang was suffering tonight. I think it affected him being left out of the team at the weekend. It wasn’t the Aubameyang that we know and love.”
Stepping up
Aubameyang was far from great this evening, and the Arsenal striker will know that.
The striker has not been in great form overall this season, and he will know that he needs to step up his game.
According to Whoscored, the striker took four shots but only one was on target, had a pass accuracy of 61.9%, took 36 touches, made one tackle and one interception, and put in two crosses.
What is important tonight is that despite losing the game, Arsenal have won the tie over two legs and will play in the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season.
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