One thing that Arsenal struggled to do throughout was break away from the high-pressing Rennes defensive scheme. Largely, this was due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s inability to hold onto the ball when it was played into his feet.
Granted, this is a difficult job, one that only some of the very best strikers in the world have the ability to do, but in the modern game, especially when playing with a lone centre-forward, as Unai Emery is seemingly intent on doing, it is critical that the centre-forward has the touch, the physical presence, though not necessarily size, and the wherewithal to hold onto the ball and bring others into play.
Sadly for Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette is excellent at it, and it is noticeable how much Arsenal struggle to play through the lines when Aubameyang is playing centre-forward, not the Frenchman.
Aubameyang is a terrific goalscorer, that much cannot be denied, but when he is making the net ripple, what else does he offer the team? The answer is not a positive one.
It was an odd thing, seeing Aubameyang look that disheartened, and I didn’t like it one bit. He’s always smiling, always laughing, always having fun. Which is why I’m glad we have a match where he can ideally get back to that and have a bit of fun, score some goals and transition into another big match against United where we will need him to be firing and confident.