Martin Keown suggests player is unhappy at Arsenal, wants him to rediscover ‘smile’

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Martin Keown has suggested that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unhappy right now because he wants the Arsenal man to rediscover his “smile”.

Aubameyang, 32, is the most high profile member of the Gunners side, so a small dip in form from him last year came under real scrutiny.

The quick forward did score 15 goals in 39 games across all competitions. However, there was a considerable drop off in terms of his potency around the box and his overall threat in games.

It looks like Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is sticking with the experienced attacker for the start of the 2021/22 campaign based off pre-season games.

Pundit and ex-Arsenal man says the Gabon international needs to be happy again.

“They also need Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to have a smile back on his face,” Keown told BBC Sport.

Can Arsenal still rely on Aubameyang?

If you look at the Arsenal squad, it’s clear they are going to need Aubameyang back to his dazzling best to get where they want to be.

He’s a striker whose record of 85 goals in 148 Gunners appearances speaks for itself. Likewise, 141 goals in 213 games for Borussia Dortmund is spectacular. 

There is a lot of young talent at the Emirates Stadium, but Aubameyang is the senior figure they need to lean on.

They are going to need to sign a top-class forward a couple of years down the line. Right now though Aubameyang needs to regain confidence because he’s capable of shredding Premier League defences.

In other news, ‘It’s frightening’: Alexander-Arnold makes excited claim about 16-year-old Liverpool prospect