Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a risk that signals a change in the hierarchy at Arsenal

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for Arsenal on deadline day to enter a new chapter in his career. The Gabon international is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe and for good reason. He has scored 98 Bundesliga goals during his time at Borussia Dortmund, which averages at a goal every 116 minutes. This is a very impressive record for any player and considering the 28-year-old was not playing on the best team in the division, it deserves even more respect. That said, there are still doubts about the forward, with his attitude being a problem for the various managers that he encountered at Signal Iduna Park.

Although he is moving for a huge fee, reported to be a club record £56 million according to BBC Sport, he is joining a club in 6^th position in the Premier League and one generally considered to be in freefall. This isn’t the move that many expected Aubameyang to make when he was scoring for fun in Germany and that is due to the problems that he causes off the field. Goal reported the following quotes from Michael Zorc, who is the Dortmund Sporting Director:

“At some point you can’t tolerate it [lack of discipline from Aubameyang] anymore,”

“I don’t know what’s going on inside his head. We had a very contentious discussion today. We’re not used to this behaviour from him. It can’t go on like this.”

This came after he missed a team meeting ahead of the game against Wolfsburg. The potential move to Arsenal was on his mind, but his decision shows a lack of professionalism and that theme became too common during his time at the club. During the match, his quality finishing was missed as the Bundesliga side failed to make their chances count. However, the dressing room agreed with his omission as shown by the following comments to Roman Burki to Sky Sports, as referenced by AS and FourFourTwo:

“I support it. It was a logical decision.

“There are rules which apply to every player, regardless of how many goals he scores or prevents. It would be a shame if he missed out again due to his stupid actions.”

It is rare for a player to be so critical of a team-mate, but that reflects the negative effect that Aubameyang was having on the team towards the end of his time at Dortmund. The team haven’t been faring well on the pitch, as shown by their current position of 6^th. However, those at the club needed to pull together to improve performances on the pitch and the striker opted to take the first exit. That doesn’t bode well for what he brings off-the-pitch and that is one of the biggest issues at the Emirates Stadium at the moment.

Alexis Sanchez has recently departed and many saw that as a positive thing for Arsenal, due to the poor relations that he had with the rest of the squad. The Telegraph reported last year that the Chilean walked out of training after a bust-up with his team-mates before being dropped for the side’s visit to Liverpool. These stories became ten a penny as he time drew to an end in North London and another disruptive influence isn’t what the squad need right now.

Perhaps Aubameyang will be more committed for Arsenal and put more on the line for the team. Initially that will certainly be the case, but as their loss to Swansea City showed on Tuesday, the Gunners need strong characters to turn their form around and the incoming Gabon international isn’t that. He may have a lot of talent, but he isn’t going to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and drag the team to victory when a goal down. For that reason, it may not be the signing needed to turn Arsene Wenger’s men back into serious contenders.

That said, it is a statement of intent that is ultimately a good move from the club. Arsenal needed to put an end to the negativity and show the rest of Europe that they remain a team to be reckoned with. It was always likely that they would lose Alexis Sanchez this month, but the captures of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang have improved the atmosphere among supporters. They can now attack the rest of the season and attempt to get back into the Champions League.

These two big-name signings have not only excited supporters, but they are thought to be the catalyst behind Mesut Ozil’s decision to sign a new contract. BBC Sport report that he has agreed to stay with the club until 2021 and he becomes the highest-paid player in their history. After 18 months of uncertainty, the Gunners can now move forward as a united club with two very good players coming in to replace the poisonous Alexis Sanchez.

Although success is far from guaranteed, Arsenal now have a platform from which to build on. Doubts remain over Arsene Wenger’s ability to produce success on the pitch, but this window has shown that some power has been taken away from the Frenchman. It would have been unlikely that Aubameyang would have been his choice of player, especially at the finances involved, but the club overruled him and ensured that a deal took place. His signing indicates that a change has taken place in the hierarchy of the club and that only be viewed as a positive