Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once hailed as Arsenal’s new Thierry Henry, but his comparison to the club legend has turned out to be a huge mistake.
The Gabonese striker left the Gunners in acrimonious circumstances after falling out with manager Mikel Arteta over his lack of discipline and commitment. He joined Barcelona on a free transfer, only to return to England six months later with Chelsea, where he has struggled to make an impact.
Aubameyang’s decline has been stark and surprising, considering he was one of the most prolific and consistent scorers in Europe for several years. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018/19, and scored twice in the FA Cup final against Chelsea in 2020, earning himself a lucrative new contract at Arsenal.
He seemed to be following in the footsteps of Henry, who is widely regarded as Arsenal’s greatest ever player and one of the best strikers of all time.
However, Aubameyang’s form and attitude deteriorated rapidly after signing his new deal. He scored only 10 league goals in 2020/21, his lowest tally since 2010/11.
He also missed several important games due to disciplinary issues, such as arriving late for a north London derby and breaking Covid-19 protocols. He was stripped of the captaincy by Arteta, who accused him of being unprofessional and disrespectful to the club.
Aubameyang’s relationship with Arteta soured further when he was frozen out of the team and eventually released from his contract in January 2022.
He joined Barcelona as a free agent, but failed to impress at the Camp Nou, scoring only four goals in 18 appearances. He was then sold to Chelsea for £25 million in July 2022, reuniting with his former boss Thomas Tuchel.
However, Tuchel was sacked shortly after Aubameyang’s arrival, and replaced by Graham Potter, who has preferred other options upfront. Aubameyang has made only eight appearances for Chelsea so far, scoring once. He has been left out of the squad on several occasions, and has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
In contrast, Arteta has been proven right by his decision to part ways with Aubameyang. The Arsenal manager has rebuilt his team around younger and hungrier players, such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli.
He has also signed quality reinforcements, such as Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale. Arsenal have improved significantly under Arteta’s guidance, and are currently fourth in the Premier League table, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference.
Arteta has also shown that he can handle big personalities and big players, contrary to what Aubameyang claimed in a leaked video last year. The Spaniard has managed to get the best out of players like Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Thierry Henry Arsenal remark backfires as Mikel Arteta proven right
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once hailed as Arsenal’s new Thierry Henry, but his comparison to the club legend has turned out to be a huge mistake.
The Gabonese striker left the Gunners in acrimonious circumstances after falling out with manager Mikel Arteta over his lack of discipline and commitment. He joined Barcelona on a free transfer, only to return to England six months later with Chelsea, where he has struggled to make an impact.
Aubameyang’s decline has been stark and surprising, considering he was one of the most prolific and consistent scorers in Europe for several years. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018/19, and scored twice in the FA Cup final against Chelsea in 2020, earning himself a lucrative new contract at Arsenal.
He seemed to be following in the footsteps of Henry, who is widely regarded as Arsenal’s greatest ever player and one of the best strikers of all time.
However, Aubameyang’s form and attitude deteriorated rapidly after signing his new deal. He scored only 10 league goals in 2020/21, his lowest tally since 2010/11.
He also missed several important games due to disciplinary issues, such as arriving late for a north London derby and breaking Covid-19 protocols. He was stripped of the captaincy by Arteta, who accused him of being unprofessional and disrespectful to the club.
Final Thoughts: Aubameyang’s Decline and Arteta’s Triumph
The fall from grace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been remarkable and disappointing for Arsenal fans who once saw him as the club’s new Thierry Henry. His spectacular performances and goalscoring feats, which earned him a new lucrative contract, turned into erratic and unprofessional behavior that led to his departure from the club.
While Aubameyang’s talent on the pitch is undeniable, his lack of discipline and commitment proved detrimental to the team’s success. His failure to lead by example and his off-field antics, such as arriving late for a derby match and breaking Covid-19 protocols, caused disruption and undermined team morale.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to strip Aubameyang of the captaincy and eventually part ways with him was a bold move, but it has been vindicated by the team’s improved performance and unity under his leadership. Arteta has shown that he is not afraid to make tough decisions and that he values professionalism, work ethic, and team spirit over individual talent.
The emergence of young players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli, and the signings of quality players like Ben White, Martin Odegaard, and Aaron Ramsdale, have revitalized Arsenal and put them on a path of progress.
Arteta has created a team that is resilient, hard-working, and determined to succeed, and that is a testament to his coaching ability and leadership.
Aubameyang’s decline and Arteta’s triumph demonstrate the importance of discipline, commitment, and teamwork in achieving success in football. The title of Arsenal’s new Thierry Henry may have been premature and misguided, but the team is now in good hands with Arteta at the helm.
