Some 44 percent of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s touches came from the centre spot. As Arsenal’s former captain returned to the Emirates Stadium, he revisited one particular part of the pitch. In the heady days of the Gunners’ first success under Mikel Arteta, they won an FA Cup final against Chelsea with two goals from Aubameyang. When Arteta pitted his wits against Frank Lampard again, and with Aubameyang having traded sides, three of his slender tally of nine touches were the direct result of Arsenal goals, four in total from kick-offs.
It was an ignominious homecoming for perhaps Arsenal’s deadliest forward since Robin van Persie. These days Aubameyang plies his trade for a team with 30 fewer league goals than Brighton – an exclamation mark could be put after either 30 or Brighton – and Arteta has long since won the argument.
