Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang must be a fan of deja vu because he’s primed to do exactly what he did last season. Namely, save Arsenal’s campaign and Mikel Arteta’s bacon in the process.
That’s what happened a year ago when Auba’s goals propelled Arsenal to an FA Cup win the team’s Premier League performances offered no hint was coming. It gave Arteta a shiny piece of silverware to mark his rookie campaign and covered him in a glow that’s protected him from the level of criticism he’s deserved this season.
Summing up how bad things have been this term is easy because Arsenal entered Sunday’s game at Newcastle in 11th place. 11th!? Shite.
Fortunately, Aubameyang was fit enough to return to the starting XI after a recent bout of malaria. Auba loves a game against the Magpies as much as he loves scoring for fun when a new contract is at stake. So it proved as Arsenal’s often out of sorts main man this season returned to the fore by being involved in both goals.
Aubameyang’s part in Mohamed Elneny’s fifth-minute strike was admittedly only by association. Hector Bellerin got clear and fizzed (terrific phrase) a low cross Auba swung at and missed but provided enough of a gust of wind to turn the ball toward Elneny.
The midfielder who is distinctly meh at everything except shooting hit a sweet first-time effort Martin Dubravka was powerless to stop. Arsenal ought to have scored a few more before the break, but the moment never quite arrived.
In fact, Arteta was made to wait until six minutes after the hour mark for the second. It came when Gabriel Martinelli whipped a nice delivery toward Aubameyang, who struck it on the volley sweet as a nut.
The goal was enough to ice the game against shot-shy opponents. Newcastle’s cause wasn’t helped by Fabian Schar getting sent off late doors for damn-near cutting Martinelli in half. The Brazilian looked light years from comfortable after getting back to his feet. Definitely one to monitor ahead of Thursday.
Speaking of Thursday, this was ideal preparation for hosting Villarreal in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final. Winning was a necessary shot in the arm, if you’ll pardon the expression, after the events of the first leg.
Arteta took a lot of stick for his team selection, cautious tactics and sluggish in-game management. Normally, I’d happily put the boot straight into the Process King’s nethers, but I still think there was something to be said for a cautious approach to begin what is a 180-minute tie.
Arsenal have been burned over and over in Europe trying to get the job done in a hurry. Like it or not, the most successful teams on the continent are a little more streetwise.
Arteta’s team still has work to do to turn around a 2-1 deficit, although it’ll help Villarreal historically wilt on English soil. The bigger assist will be the confidence gained from what was a not-too-shabby win at Newcastle.
Obviously, the Magpies are pretty dire, but Steve Bruce’s team still had more to play for, like avoiding relegation. Arsenal will have to wait until next season to experience that joy. I jest, but there’s no doubt most signs pointed toward another dismal day for Arteta’s team.
He made some interesting choices with the starting XI, not the least of which involved putting Martinelli and Aubameyang up top. They added the proverbial cutting edge after last week’s failed, if slightly misunderstood false 9 experiment.
Honestly, I was more surprised to see Dani Ceballos keep his place after his red card fiasco in Spain. He’s a midfielder I like, technically proficient and capable of playing the odd nice through pass (not enough, though). Even so, if ever there was a time to send a message…
Instead, Elneny came in for Thomas Partey. You have to wonder about the wisdom of dropping £45 million to land Partey last summer. Sure, he’s a powerhouse who can keep the ball moving forward, but Partey’s also somebody who has rarely looked fully at the races.
Pablo Mari and Rob Holding being dropped was bittersweet. The latter is somebody subjected to a completely unreasonable amount of stick from many so-called fans. Holding is this generation’s Emmanuel Eboue, or Aaron Ramsey if you prefer a more recent example.
Gabriel Magalhaes (remember him?) and David Luiz came in at the heart of defence. Luiz will always be a divisive defender, but his value to what Arsenal do going forward should never be in doubt. He underlined that value by releasing Bellerin with a terrific ball over the top to help create the opening goal.
Quick note on Bellerin. Great to see him back starting. He’s still the best right-back at the club and it’s not even close. Bellerin’s become another boo boy this season — O’ how certain fans love to collect those — but this is a player who represents what Arsenal should be about. A shrewd signing on the cheap who developed at youth level and grafted his way into becoming a key member of the first team.
It wasn’t all gravy, though. Luiz limped off eight minutes into the second half. Man can’t catch a break recently. Martinelli looked hobbled at the end. Arsenal would miss the guile and technique Luiz brings to the team against Villarreal, while Martinelli’s tenacity and drive will be crucial for a team chasing a result.
Fortunately, there aren’t many better players to have on your side when you need to get a goal than a smiling-again Aubameyang. Last season proved how much he can elevate Arsenal, even above superior opposition.
The timing’s ripe for Auba to do to Villarreal then Manchester United what he did to Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley, even if it means keeping Arteta safe for another season.
The 49 Steps 
[…] to get the ball to the man who could most make the difference. Aubameyang entered this game as the player most likely to tip the scales Arsenal’s way. Sadly, he rarely had the chance to be the […]
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[…] I’ve been consistently critical of Arteta, but he deserves huge credit for pulling off this result. Chelsea had more to play for, just like Newcastle a few weeks ago. The Magpies were fighting to stave off relegation when Arsenal won 2-0 at St. James’ Park. […]
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