Former Arsenal star Paul Merson spoke on Soccer Special yesterday about Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
The Gunners skipper is having the worst season of his career this term. Aubameyang has scored just three goals in the league so far, which is simply not good enough. Arsenal were incredible without him against Chelsea and many felt that Alexandre Lacazette deserved to keep his place ahead of the Gabon star.
However, Aubameyang came in for the Frenchman yesterday and the Arsenal skipper was poor. He didn’t look anything like his previous self and Lacazette had to come on in the second half to save the game.
Merson was shocked to see Aubameyang return to the starting lineup. The former Arsenal man boldly claimed that Arteta’s decision wouldn’t have gone down well with Lacazette and many others in the dressing room.
Merson: Starting Aubameyang was a bad decision
He said: “That would have been a massive statement tonight. If I am the manager, and it doesn’t seem to be all going well there at Arsenal with results recently. What a statement, pick that team (that started on Saturday), Aubameyang wasn’t ready, they win the game and you are sub.”
“All the players then start going ‘Woah, I like this’. This is the problem. You start losing the players. Lacazette is thinking ‘wait there a minute, Aubameyang is getting another chance’. I know he is a good player but everyone has a dip in form.”
“And it (would’ve been) a statement (to bench Aubameyang) – but, at the moment, if I am a player and I am in the dressing room everyone will be going ‘Oh, this is a joke’. And that’s the way it goes. It doesn’t matter how good you are. It’s all on form. I just thought it’s a bad decision this.”
Arteta confirmed after the game that Lacazette was suffering from a sore back and that is why he was left on the bench. (Read here) The Frenchman seemed fine when he came on, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t start against West Brom on Saturday.
The Arsenal boss now has a selection headache. Arsenal’s front four of Lacazette, Gabi Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have all been brilliant. Aubameyang has been our main man for over two years, but if form is anything to go by, he does not deserve to start this weekend.
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