Arsenal manager Unai Emery has backed misfiring forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to find his shooting boots again, ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash with London rivals West Ham United.
Both capital clubs come into the weekend under pressure after losing their opening two games.
Aubameyang in particular, hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts as he’s failed to find the back of the net in losses to Manchester City and Chelsea.
“The first is to create chances, situations and attacking moments where the player arrive in the box and with the balance to use the small space the opposition gives us. And then, I am sure they are going to score if we create a lot of chances in the game,” Emery responded at his pre-match press conference when asked about Aubameyang’s form.
The Chelsea game, in particular, was cause for concern for the usually-prolific Aubameyang missed two gilt-edged chances at a time the Gunners were on top of their crosstown rivals.
“The first idea for us on Saturday is to create these chances and then the players’ confidence for starting to arrive in the box, to score.”
So far, Emery has started Aubameyang up top on his own, bringing on Alexandre Lacazette only in the final half hour.
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“Maybe the players cannot score three good chances in one match and on another day, I am sure they are going to do maybe the same chances in one match and score three.”
The Hammers, also adapting to a new manager’s methods, have shipped an alarming six goals in two games so far, which will give Aubameyang and Co. hope ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.
“For that, Aubameyang is a player who, in his career, has scored a lot and he is going to do that here also,” the Spanish tactician added.
It seems that Emery is retaining the faith in the rapid striker for now but should Aubameyang fail to score for a third game in a row, he may be forced to drop the club record signing in place of Lacazette.