Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has disclosed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been getting upset and frustrated with his lack of goals, but that the striker never lost his desire to rediscover his form.
The Gabonese star endured a stuttering start to the season, which saw the Gunners nosedive too close to the relegation zone. But, it seems the striker is already taking back his old shape after his hat-trick saw off Leeds 4-2 earlier this month.
Aubameyang recreated the same form on Thursday night, after he bagged a brace that helped Arsenal beat Benfica 3 – 2 to reach the Europa League last 16.
Arteta, who was full of praise for Aubameyang in the wake of Arsenal’s Europa game victory commended the player for always working hard even when the goals would not come.
Arteta said: “He is getting into much better positions, his rhythm during the games is much better with and without the ball, his movement.
“The week before when we played Benfica, he had three big chances and I am not worried about him missing them because I know if he gets in those positions, he is going to be scoring consistently so this is what he has to demand of himself. If we have Auba at his best, as a team we obviously have a much better chance to be successful.”
After progressing into the next round of the Europa League, Arsenal will now face Olympicos in the last 16.
Meanwhile, before then, the Gunners have a date with the Foxes at the Kings Power Stadium for their Premier League game on Sunday.
