Paul Merson has backed Mikel Arteta to recall Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Arsenal starting line-up when Southampton visit the Emirates Stadium, via his Sportskeeda column.
Arteta benched Aubameyang at Everton on Monday night as the Gabon striker continues to struggle for form. He has now failed to score in the Gunners’ last six Premier League games since netting and providing an assist during their 3-1 win at home to Aston Villa in October.
Aubameyang’s strike against the Clarets moved the 32-year-old to four goals for the season so far. His pass to feed Emile Smith Rowe also marked the Gunners captain’s only assist.
Arteta started Alexandre Lacazette in place of Aubameyang during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Everton on Monday. The Spaniard also brought Eddie Nketiah on in the 71st-minute after Gabriel Martinelli – who also started – sustained a hamstring injury.
Aubameyang did not feature until the 85th-minute when Arteta sought a goal for Arsenal to move back ahead. But he failed to have the magic touch before Demarai Gray’s late winner.
Yet Merson expects Arteta will recall Aubameyang on Saturday when Southampton travel to north London. But the Arsenal icon wants to see the £250k-a-week forward offer more.
“I think Aubameyang will start again this weekend, but he needs to work hard,” Merson said. “His form has taken a dip. Arsenal have a lot of youngsters at the moment and as captain, he needs to set an example.
“When he works hard, Arsenal are very good, and that shows how the youngsters look up to him. He’s the catalyst for the team and the young kids in the squad respect him.”
Arsenal strikers spurned chance to impress Arteta in Aubameyang absence
Aubameyang had started Arsenal’s last 12 Premier League games before Arteta axed his captain at Everton, and will hope the Gunners’ second successive loss sees he’s recalled.
Lacazette failed to deliver the sort of performance the Frenchman needed for him to keep Aubameyang out of the side. He rarely did enough to threaten the Toffees backline, while the 30-year-old’s nature to drop deep often left the Gunners lacking a focal point in attack.
Nketiah also wasted his chance to impress from the bench by missing a point-blank back post header. It proved to be the 22-year-old’s best chance on a night he offered little else.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
