Arsenal fans have jumped to the defence of club record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the striker was labelled a ‘shadow of his former self’ by former star Alan Smith.
Aubameyang was on target for only the second time since joining the club in January for Borussia Dortmund, prodding home from close range in a Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend.
The defeat for Arsene Wenger’s men was their third in the space in seven days after having been beaten by Manchester City 3-0 on both last Sunday and Thursday.
And following the defeat at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Smith went on the attack against the £57 million striker.
Smith, who played for Arsenal between 1987 and 1995, told Sky Sports: “He looked a shadow of the player he was at Dortmund.
“Even he, in the short time he’s been at Arsenal, has been affected by the mood.
“He got his goal with a little flick, but he’s not the player I hoped he would be.
“I’m not saying he’s a bad player, but it’s a malaise through the dressing room and he’s been affected.”
Before his move to The Emirates, Aubameyang scored an astonishing 141 times in 213 appearances for his former side Borussia Dortmund in just over four seasons.
And the Arsenal fans believe it’s only a matter of time before the Gabon international shows his true class …
https://twitter.com/_AdamKeys/status/970987160982753281
To those having a go at aubameyang already give the guy a chance he’s been only been here for 4 weeks let’s be patient with him and lacazette they will both prove that they are world class goal scorers lacazette has on been here nearly 7 months back off ffs !!
— Leanne Mcknight (@LeanneMcknigh20) March 5, 2018
Remember how long it took Robert Pires to settle into the Arsenal team?
Amazed that there is already a debate over Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan. Surely they're entitled to more than 12 games between them before they're being labelled "shadows" of their former selves?
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/ltarsenal/status/969964114633097218
https://twitter.com/Ant_Murphy/status/970728983850602498
https://twitter.com/FplFreddo/status/970729272720678914
Hate how players are judge so quickly. If he was English he wouldnt get judge so quickly
— SAMbi COYG (@GadgetAFC) March 6, 2018