‘Like playing with ten men’: Andy Townsend on Arsenal player who poses ‘dilemma’

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Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is “so far off his game”, according to Andy Townsend.

The Gunners striker has been in poor form over the past few weeks.

And on Monday night, he didn’t even start against Everton.

Aubameyang’s last goal came against Aston Villa back in October.

Sadly he’s been struggling to fashion chances for Arsenal, never mind score.

On Monday, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta went for Alexandre Lacazette up front in the Arsenal starting XI.

The Gunners boss opted to bring Aubameyang off the bench late on.

However, he didn’t have much luck this time either, firing wide with the last kick of the game.

Arsenal ended up losing 2-1 on Merseyside and alarm bells are starting to ring once again at the Emirates.

Townsend, speaking on Premier League Productions ahead of the game, praised Arteta for dropping Aubameyang.

However, he also noted how tricky it can be when the out-of-form player is also the team captain.

“Fair play to him,” Townsend said about Aubameyang (6/12/2021, 7:55pm).

“When it’s your captain as well, then it can present a bit of a dilemma towards a coach.

“Particularly a coach trying to find the best solutions and the best part forward for his club.

“I think it’s the right call.

“With Aubameyang, I watch him somedays and I see a real predatory striker.

“Then other days it’s like you are playing with ten men.

“He is so far off his game.”

Aubameyang has just four goals and one assist from 14 Premier League appearances this term.

It’s such a poor tally considering what he’s capable of – hopefully he can regain his form.