Arsenal Rumors: Arteta Confident Aubameyang Can Handle Criticism, High Expectations

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned heads with his performance after the COVID-19 break last season. Though most viewed it more as his way of pressuring Arsenal and other clubs into seriously considering him, the shoe is on the other foot this season.

The Arsenal captain has been struggling thus far. But for Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang needs to handle this well and step up since he is a “big time” player.

So far, Aubameyang has scored three goals in seven matches across all competitions, but supporters want more out of him. As far as Arteta is concerned, this is not surprising, Sky Sports reported.

"Expectations for him are that he has to score a goal every game so this comes with the nature of the big player he is, what he has done in the past," the Arsenal boss said.

Considering already has 73 goals in 116 appearances since arriving at Emirates Stadium, the bar is set high. According to Arteta, Aubameyang needs to get in more scoring opportunities and make the necessary tweaks, particularly around the box.

So far, Arsenal has played five of their last seven games against top clubs. Their next assignment is against Leicester City, another top club that Arteta believes will be a tough battle.

"We know that it's going to be a really competitive match against a team that has evolved a lot in the last year or so. They had an incredible season last year and it's always a challenge to play against them. We are expecting a big battle on Sunday," Arteta said.

Speaking of adjustments, Arteta was quizzed on whether it would be best to shift him to the middle rather than his usual left. A reason for this is that the Gabonese has proven he can be efficient as a central striker.

But for Arteta, these are suggestions that always crop up whenever Aubameyang does not score. Though he is pressured to score, he and the team are ready to support him amid the criticism hounding him right now.

“People expect that from him in the future,” Arteta said of the pressure on Aubameyang to keep scoring. “He needs to handle that, and we are here to support him when difficult times come round him.”