Smith: Aubameyang’s struggles are ‘symptom of Arsenal’s lack of form’

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s struggles in front of goal are reflective of the Gunners’ failings as a whole rather than his new £250,000-per-week deal. 

Mikel Arteta’s side have made a poor start to their Premier League campaign. They are down in 14th place in the table after picking up 13 points from 10 matches – their slowest start to a season since 1981. 

Arsenal have found the back of the net just 10 times in those 10 league games with Aubameyang netting in the Premier League just once since the opening day of the season. 

Arsenal’s star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled in front of goal this season

The star striker put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at the Emirates three days later to put an end to speculation surrounding his future but he has scored just four goals in 12 matches in all competitions this seaason.

Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent suggested earlier this week that Aubameyang has stopped ‘running, tracking back and putting tackles in’ since signing fresh terms, but Smith insists his lack of goals is not a product of the new deal. 

‘He’s only human,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘He comes across as a really happy guy, whose confidence would be difficult to knock. He has great confidence in his ability. But you can see he has been affected by his overall game. He’s been lacklustre. 

But Alan Smith believes his slump in form is the product of Arsenal squad’s failings as a whole

‘Some people point to him signing his new bumper contract and his form falling off the edge of a cliff, but I’d be reluctant to say that has been an influence. 

‘He does strike me as someone who lives for goals, but I’d be surprised if he’s eased off because he’s signed his new contract.’

Instead Smith, who scored 86 league goals in 264 games for the Gunners, believes Aubameyang’s alarming slump in form is a result of attacking struggles within the whole team.  

‘His form is a symptom of Arsenal’s lack of form going forward,’ he added. ‘Mikel Arteta had to change the way they played, he had to make them more robust, harder to play against, more solid at the back.’

Arsenal suffered their fifth league defeat of the campaign last Sunday as they lost 2-1 to Wolves at home. Aubameyang hasn’t scored in open play since September 12 and on Sunday he had just one shot on target and only nine touches in Wolves’ penalty area.

Mikel Arteta’s side have made a poor start to season and have scored just 10 goals in top flight