Alan Smith column: Leeds game could be perfect for Aubameyang to stop the rot
The statistic on its own isn’t too concerning, at least not for a striker of average ability. But the fact that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t scored from open play in the league since the opening day does tend to point in a worrying direction.
If one of the world’s best finishers can’t find the net in seven games, what does that say about the team as a whole? Well, it says for a start that the number of chances created has dropped. The Gunners don’t carve out the opportunities of old.
In fairness, that’s bound to happen when a coach is concentrating on organisation and solidity, when he’s determined to eradicate flimsy defending in favour of adisciplined approach that gives little away.
Yes, I know that didn’t apply last time out to Aston Villa — worthy 3-0 winners on a sobering night for Mikel Arteta. Like a lot of us, the Arsenal manager didn’t see that coming. He’ll be hoping it was a mere blip.
It isn’t often nearly everyone underperforms at the same time. On a bad day, you might get three or four out of sorts, rarely nine or 10. To compound the situation, Villa played out of their skin.
Should Leeds do the same, it will be a difficult day up at Elland Road, where Marcelo Bielsa will be extremely keen to bounce back from a couple of 4-1 defeats. His defence has turned shaky, which has had an effect on young Illan Meslier in goal.
Which brings us back to Aubameyang, more than capable on his day of exploiting such weakness. Some say he is wasted on the left, but I can’t agree with that when he has shone so brightly from that position in the past.
Mind you, his success from that flank partly depends on the centre-forward’s input and Alexandre Lacazette has fallen into a slump that’s not helping. It might be time to move the captain inside. As for the accusation Aubameyang has lost his hunger after signing that humongous contract, I’m not having that. The 31-year-old doesn’t seem the type to coast along. He likes scoring too much to be going through the motions.
A lack of creativity doesn’t help his cause, a shortfall that leads to Arsenal struggling against sides adopting a low block. Leeds, however, don’t go near that tactic, with Bielsa insisting on attacking verve. As a result, this might be a day for Auba’s huge grin.
With players returning from all over the globe at different times and with different levels of fatigue, this isn’t the ideal fixture for Chelsea.
No sooner has everyone got back and they’ve got to leave again, catching a Friday flight for Saturday’s early kick-off. Still, this is where coaches earn their money.
Not only have they got to pick the right team, they’ve got to make sure that everyone switches back to club mode and remembers the messages that had been drummed in. Frank Lampard was just beginning to see the fruits of his work before the break.
His Chelsea team had tightened up to concede less goals. Another clean sheet at St James’ Park would surely mean three points for his side.
Spurs are grinding out wins in classic Jose Mourinho style. The last three on the bounce won’t be remembered for too much polished play, but they will have pleased a manager looking for the kind of winning mentality that hasn’t always been rife in this part of north London.
On this point, beating City, of course, would do no harm at all. It would infuse great belief into a team that faces Chelsea and Arsenal next. All eyes on this one, then.
Missing a fit Sergio Aguero, City have been struggling for goals. Could Spurs take advantage with a Kane-Son-Bale strikeforce that promises so much? If they do, it might be time to revise those opinions about Mourinho’s demise as a top manager.
Scott Parker, to his credit, has gone some way to stiffening up a defence that looked like folding every time someone came near.
He’s managed it, what’s more, by introducing players new to this league, a move that could have easily blown up in his face. The fact it hasn’t yet shines a favourable light on Parker’s coaching abilities.
So, can the likes of Ola Aina and Joachim Andersen stand firm again, this time against an Everton attack that’s lost some of its swagger?
After racing out of the traps at the start of the season, the Toffees have lost their last three Premier League games. Even so, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez should be able to test Fulham’s new-found resilience.
When you’ve faced Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester City and not lost to any, confidence in the camp should be quite high.
Never mind that West Ham haven’t won a top-flight match at Bramall Lane since 1968, they should approach this task in a positive frame of mind.
The mood will be even better if Michail Antonio returns from injury. The international break came at a good time for the striker, giving him a chance to shake off a hamstring strain.
With their talisman in the side, the Hammers look a different team. Sheffield United, however, aren’t playing as badly as their lowly position suggests. Chris Wilder’s side have been unlucky at times. Their first win of the season can’t be far away.
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