Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a reason for not playing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang centrally

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cannot play centrally in Mikel Arteta‘s current system because it would not suit the Gunners captain, according to European football expert Julien Laurens. Arsenal fans have been calling for Arteta to move Aubameyang inside after a poor start to the season for the former Borussia Dortmund forward.

Aubameyang has scored just two goals in the first eight Premier League games of the campaign.

The 31-year-old’s shots-per-game stats are down on last season despite playing in a similar role on the left of the attack.

Laurens admits Arteta needs to find a way of getting Aubameyang in front of goal more often.

But he says there is a reason for Arteta preferring Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah centrally than Aubameyang.

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“Not just the fact we’re doing it, why we’re doing that and what we’re going to get by doing these positive things.

“Of course, there’s a very strong possibility to play him as a No 9.

“If you’re asking me about any other player I’d say we have to do some work with his confidence, with Auba I don’t think it’s a case of that.”

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