Farke’s backing Pierre pressure
DANIEL FARKE believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the strong leader on the pitch that Arsenal need as they search for a new manager.
The post-Unai Emery era begins at Norwich today with the Gunners searching for a first Premier League victory since October 6.
Striker Aubameyang inherited the captain’s armband as a result of last month’s sensational on-pitch bust-up between Granit Xhaka and the Arsenal fans.
That chaos helped speed Emery to the exit door and Farke’s Canaries will kick off on a high having won at Everton last week.
The German knows Aubameyang well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund, where Farke was reserve team coach and assistant to boss Thomas Tuchel.
And he backed the Gabon hitman to show leadership qualities in Arsenal’s time of trouble.
He said: “He’s not a typical leader as the captain is usually a solid defensive player who is disciplined.
“Pierre-Emerick is likely to do something crazy on the pitch – it is one of his strengths to do the unexpected.
“Now he is more experienced and has always been a great guy in the dressing room and for his team-mates.
“You can count on him for that.
“It is no coincidence he has been allowed to wear the captain’s armband.”
Farke argues that being a striker is no bar to being a captain – because he was both himself.
He said: “It depends on personality. Some strikers just want to take care of themselves, they have just one thought, ‘I want to score a goal’.
“Sometimes it is easier to have a captain who plays in a central role.
“But if the character and the mentality fits it is no problem a striker wearing the armband.”