Arsenal have been struggling for goals in the Premier League this season, with the Gunners having netted only three times in four games. Strikers Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have only one goal between them in the division, and supporters are questioning why another striker wasn’t brought in during the summer transfer window as a result of their lack of options.
Manager Arsene Wenger ruled out the prospect of a new striker early on in the summer, citing forward Theo Walcott as a secondary option to take the scoring burden off Olivier Giroud. They were linked with a number of players throughout pre-season, with Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continually rumoured to be on his way to the Premier League. However, Arsenal didn’t appear keen to sign him, and he’s now shining for BVB this season.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to the new campaign, scoring three goals is as many Bundesliga appearances as Dortmund enjoy top spot in the table. Aubameyang has been outstanding for some time, however, coming off the back of the 16 goals in 33 league games last season, and 13 goals in 2013/14 for BVB. For his former side Saint-Etienne, the Gabon international 19 goals in 2012/13, and 16 in 2011/12.
He has a long run of consistent goal tallies in a league season, which is something Arsenal have been crying out for, but Wenger opted against making an approach. It’s a decision that could well cost Arsenal in the long run, with the Londoners having an unconvincing start in the Premier League. Goals have been hard to come by in the first-half of games, and a new face such as Aubameyang would certainly improve what they already have in the side.
Trusting upon an injury-prone Theo Walcott – who has only hit double figures for league goals in one of his five seasons at Arsenal (10 seasons overall) – seems misguided by Wenger, and supporters have been critical of his ignorance to sign a prolific striker this summer. It’s a position fans wanted strengthened last summer too, but their requests have been ignored once more.
With how well Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has started the new season with Borussia Dortmund, will Arsenal regret not making an approach for his services in the summer transfer window? He hardly would have broken the bank by comparison to a lot of other strikers, so it’s a big decision that is likely to come back to haunt Wenger this season.
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