On-fire Aubameyang returns to Germany as Arsenal face Eintracht
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted Arsenal's opening goal of the season with a delicate dink against Newcastle United it was the Gabon international's 33rd in just 50 league matches.
It marked the equal fifth most prolific start to a Premier League career, behind the likes of Alan Shearer and Mohamed Salah.
Aubameyang's statistics have exploded since making the move to England 18 months ago, scoring 46 goals in just 70 matches across all competitions.
Arsenal fans are witnessing one of the world's top strikers in action and on Thursday Aubameyang returns to Germany for the first time since he left. He and Arsenal face Eintracht Frankfurt, but unfortunately not in the competition his talent deserves.
At Dortmund, Aubameyang was converted from a left winger to a central striker and he terrorized defences both in the Bundesliga and Champions League, scoring an impressive 141 goals in 213 matches.
That he's replicated that form, whether from the wing or in a more central role, in the supposedly more competitive environment of the Premier League rubber stamps his world-class status.
However, he's been continually let down by a porous Arsenal backline under Unai Emery. Arsenal have conceded eight goals in their first five games - the second most in the top seven.
"I feel like we are literally giving goals to the opposition," Aubameyang lamented after Arsenal coughed up a two-goal lead to eventually draw 2-2 with Watford last weekend.
"I'm not going to say it's someone's fault. But it is a shame to concede goals like we did."
Defensive mishaps are largely the reason Arsenal are once again playing in the Europa League this season instead of the Champions League. It brings into question whether a move to north London was the right choice for Aubameyang.
Manchester United injury list grows ahead of Europa League clash
Manchester United will be without Daniel James for Thursday’s Europa League group stage opener after the winger suffered an injury in the weekend Premier League win over Leicester City, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Wednesday.
With three league goals this season, Welshman James is United’s leading scorer alongside Marcus Rashford but the 21-year-old has joined teammates Paul Pogba (ankle), Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw (both thigh) on the treatment table.
Solskjaer confirmed goalkeeper Sergio Romero would play instead of David De Gea, who this week penned a new deal that will keep him at the club until at least 2023.
Florenzi aware of Roma responsibility
Alessandro Florenzi says he does not need reminding of his responsibilities as Roma captain. “I know I have to set an example.”
Florenzi is now the oldest, homegrown member of Roma’s first team following the exits of Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi and received the armband over the summer.
“I think I speak on behalf of both of us,” the right-back said at a Press conference for tomorrow’s Europa League opener with Istanbul Basaksehir.
“Lorenzo and I are both proud to wear this shirt, and we feel a great sense of belonging.”