Speaking on Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker has had a tough time so far this term. He’s netted just one goal in the Premier League so far and unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though he’s going to be in the Golden Boot race this season.
Aubameyang was fantastic when he first joined Arsenal, and Ferdinand believes that he’s being held back by the Gunners’ style of play.
What’s been said?
The Manchester United legend was speaking about Aubameyang.
“I love Aubameyang, I love him,” Ferdinand said.
“I just think he’s a wicked finisher, but I don’t know if the club are playing to his strengths.
“They need to get the ball forward quicker. They get the ball forward quick and set him off and set him running free, and in full flow, he’s as good as most. He’s just an unbelievable finisher.
“When he’s smiling and he’s on form, he makes Arsenal a considerably better team.”
Need to be more direct
Ferdinand is absolutely right about Arsenal not playing to Aubameyang’s strengths.
It’s all well and good playing out from the back and playing a possession-based game, but when you have a striker whose biggest strength is his speed, it doesn’t work.
Aubameyang is at his best when he’s running into space, but with Arsenal looking to play a slower tempo with shorter passing, he rarely gets the chance to sprint at a stretched backline these days.
If the Gunners want to get the best out of Aubameyang again they may want to revert back to playing a more direct counter-attacking style.
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