Unai Emery was sacked as Arsenal manager after 18 months in charge of the North London club. The first manager to take charge at the Emirates Stadium since Arsene Wenger, Emery has struggled to alter the club’s decline after spending three seasons in the Europa League and poor Premier League results this season have seen the club slip to eighth in the table.
One player who may be relieved to see his manager go after reportedly refusing to negotiate any further in contract talks is Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker was the joint top scorer in the Premier League last season with 22 goals but other clubs appeared to be gaining interest in the striker. Now that Emery is no longer at the club, he may wait to see who the hierarchy appoint as his successor before making a decision on his future.
Since arriving at the Emirates Stadium Aubameyang has been one of their most valuable assets, being valued at £63m (Transfermarkt) having scored 40 goals in 62 Premier League appearances for the club. While he started this season with an outstanding run of seven goals in his opening seven Premier League games, he has scored just once in six since that blistering start. Such a sudden drop in form while contract negotiations stalled and transfer rumours swirled was not a good look, but the striker got himself back on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt; Emery’s final game in charge.
Reportedly the reason behind contract negotiations stalling was the uncertainty over Emery’s future and their ability to challenge for silverware. Now the first of those two issues have been decided, Arsenal’s top scorer this season could kick on and rediscover the form of his opening seven games.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been linked with taking charge of the Gunners, and his counter-attacking style of play could suit Aubameyang and tempt him to stay at Arsenal if he believes his new manager could restore Champions League football. Depending on who’s appointed to replace Emery it might be beneficial for the 30-year-old to get the most out of his ability during what’s left from the peak of his career.
