Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a chance to prove Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wrong almost immediately on Thursday night.
The Arsenal coach made a big statement before the visit of Slavia Prague in the quarter-final of the Europa League by benching Aubameyang who, despite some hit-and-miss form, is arguably the Gunners’ most important and dangerous player.
Arteta introduced him with 12 minutes to go and the Gabon international fluffed a chance that he has been scoring with his eyes closed in recent weeks, slicing wide of the goal from a few yards out following a cross from the right-hand side.
The 31-year-old striker atoned for it somewhat by setting up Nicolas Pepe for what looked like being the winning goal on 86 minutes, before the Czech outfit snatched a last-minute equaliser to deny the Emirates Stadium club.
And Arteta has conceded that although Aubameyang had a decent impact, he probably should have scored with his first opportunity.
He told a press conference: “He had that [good] impact. He assisted Nico and should’ve scored a tap-in with his left foot and that’s what players have to do when they come in.”
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