Why is Aubameyang thriving at Barca after struggling for so long at Arsenal?
FT Desk
- 28 Feb 2022 09:04 GMT
- 7 min read
Arsenal fans would have awoke on Monday morning in a bemused mood when they awoke to see that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had once again found the back of the net for Barcelona.
The Gabon international left the Premier League giants just before the January transfer window came to a close and since making the move to Spain Aubameyang has undoubtedly hit the ground running.
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In no less than four La Liga games, the striker has found the back of the net four times, as well as a fifth in Barca’s Europa League tie with Napoli. So why is Aubameyang doing so well at Barca after struggling for so long at Arsenal?
He always makes an effort at new clubs
Perhaps the most obvious reason for the striker’s purple patch of form is down to the fact that Aubameyang always makes a good first impression at his new clubs.
At Dortmund, the Gabon forward bagged 13 goals in 32 games in his first Bundesliga campaign and continued to improve until he had his head turned by a move to England.
Similarly, at Arsenal Aubameyang picked up an impressive 22 goals in 36 league games in his first full season at the club and then matched that record in the previous campaign, but then seemingly packed it in when he was awarded a big, long-term deal with the club.
Whether the striker’s form will continue at Barca remains to be seen, but his career would suggest that a dip may be on the horizon.
La Liga is easier than the Premier League
While there’s no doubt that Aubameyang would likely score goals in any league across Europe, there is also the likely fact that he finds it easier to score in the Spanish top flight.
Unlike at Arsenal, the Gabon international is now in a team that can dominate almost all of their domestic opponents and as such the striker will be afforded far more time and chances in the opposing box.
As Barca have shown in recent weeks against Atletico Madrid and Valencia, they still have one of the best teams in Spain. And now Aubameyang gets to sit at the tip of that attacking line and finish all the chances they create.
