Mikel Arteta discusses Arsenal attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Aston Villa defeat

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Mikel Arteta has told his post-match press conference – as per The Express – that he may have to change Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s position after the Arsenal captain proved ineffective during the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Aubameyang, 31, put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Arsenal in the summer – but the former Borussia Dortmund striker is somewhat behind the level of form that saw him shine last season, when he scored 29 goals in 44 games.

This season, he has four in 10 outings but only two have come in the Premier League. Arteta has played the Gabonese ace on the left flank instead of through the middle – in order to include the likes of Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah.

But he has not been the kind of player Arsenal had hoped. Following the dismal 3-0 loss to Villa, Arteta was asked about his captain – and the Spaniard stated the £250,000-a-week (Express) star may be moved up front.

“It depends on the games, depends on who he’s surrounded with,” Arteta said. “There’s a very strong possibility to play him as a No 9. If you’re asking me about another player I’d say we have to do some confidence work, with Auba I don’t that’s the case.”

TBR’s view – If Auba starts up front, who plays on the left?

And does Arteta drop Lacazette? The Gunners do not play two up front, even if they use a three-man defence – but perhaps combining Lacazette and Aubameyang up front might just be the way forward.

The two have an excellent relationship off the pitch and that could help if the duo combined up top. If Arteta keeps the same formation and drops Lacazette, the likes of Bukayo Saka or Reiss Nelson could be used on the left flank.