It’s official, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal. The Gabonese international has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him become the club’s highest earner. It’s reported that the 31-year-old rejected offers from Barcelona, Inter Milan and an unnamed English club to stay at the Emirates.
In a gut-wrenching announcement video, Aubameyang declared that he wants to leave a legacy behind and that this is his family. He also stated that he wants to become an Arsenal legend. Which got us thinking, is Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang already an Arsenal legend?
Who is a Legend?
“A great footballer has to burden himself with the responsibility that comes with being one. He has to know that all eyes are turned towards him and in response; he must attempt to act as an example for younger players and future generations of footballers. Only then can he become a legend.” (Bleacher Report, 2008)
Names like Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp & Ian Wright all spring to mind when you think of an ‘Arsenal legend’. These are icons who not only won silverware at the club but became standout players in their eras.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is the standout player of this current crop, having carried his club to an FA Cup & Community Shield in recent months. He’s the man that sets the tone for his teammates and often the one who steps up when needed most. He’s world-class, a role model and the talisman of this generation of Arsenal players.
Unrivalled Strike Rate
Since arriving at the club in 2018, only Mohamed Salah has scored more goals than Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in the Premier League. In fact, the striker has scored a phenomenal 55 league goals in 86 apps.
In all competitions, Aubameyang has 87 goal involvements in 111 games for Arsenal. If that weren’t enough, the 31-year-old is the fastest Arsenal player ever to sore 50 PL goals, as he did it in just 75 games, this same feat took Thierry Henry 83 games to achieve.
Loyalty
In a time when Arsenal needed him most, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang decided to ignore the offers of elsewhere and stay in North London. As confirmed by Sky Sports, the striker had three major offers on the table from some of Europe’s elite clubs. He rejected those offers and decided to become an Arsenal legend instead.
In the past, Arsenal fans have been left heartbroken by their favourite heroes leaving them in their primes. Cesc Fabregas refused to train until he was sold to Barcelona. Robin Van Persie told Arsène Wenger he didn’t believe in his project and left for Man United after only 1 good season at the club. Ashley Cole was so sickened that Arsenal offered him a £60,000-a-week that he ran to Stamford Bridge. But Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang stayed.
Mikel Arteta’s rebuild hinges solely on the goalscoring exploits of Aubameyang. Last season, Arsenal were the 5th least creative team in the league and if weren’t for the 31-year-old’s goals, they would have finished near the bottom of the table. Never in the history of Arsenal has a player been more important to the club’s welfare than Aubameyang to this squad right now.
What do you guys think: is Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang an Arsenal legend?
