Reloaded Gunners respond New additions have Wenger’s crew poised to salvage troubled season
LONDON — Just days after Arsenal was lurching towards another crisis, Arsene Wenger can suddenly look to a brighter future thanks to a revitalised attack spearheaded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
An error-strewn 3-1 loss at struggling Swansea last Tuesday was the latest low-point of a troubled season for the Gunners.
Coming just days after Alexis Sanchez finally got his wish to leave Arsenal in a blockbuster move to Manchester United, Wenger was once again under fire from angry fans frustrated by the club’s failure to win the Premier League since 2004.
But a week is a long time in the frenzied world of English soccer and by the final whistle at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the Arsenal manager was all smiles as he reflected on the speed at which perceptions can change.
It was little wonder Wenger was in such an upbeat mood as he had just watched Gabon striker Aubameyang, a clubrecord $78 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, and Armenia midfielder Mkhitaryan produce superb first appearances at their new club’s stadium in a 5-1 demolition of Everton.
Aubameyang scored a goal and his pace and movement tormented the Everton defense, while Mkhitaryan’s range of passing provided three assists as he linked up with fellow playmaker Mesut Ozil to devastating effect.
Highlighted by a blur of one-touch passing, with Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi switching positions behind Aubameyang, Arsenal’s effervescent performance was by far its most encouraging of a season that sees it engaged in a battle to qualify for the Champions League.
Before kickoff, that target seemed further away than ever, and there were also doubts over Wenger’s moves for former Dortmund teammates Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan.
‘Positive swing’
Aubameyang’s goal record with Dortmund was exemplary but there were questions about his volatile personality. Even he described himself as a “crazy kid” — a trait that led him to clashes with the Bundesliga club on several occasions.
Those issues might yet resurface, but for now Wenger is keen to accentuate the positives after the eye-catching elan with which Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang stole the show against Everton.
“When you have new players it gives always a little positive swing, and it wakes everybody up as well, because there’s suddenly competition so they have to live with that as well,” said Wenger.
“Overall, I think we have a game based on team spirit so that kind of acceptance is very important. When they show on the pitch that they accept our game, they are even easier to integrate into the team.
“Your main target is just to get the players to enjoy the game they play, to share it with the fans.”
Aubameyang’s impact was even more impressive given he had only two 45-minute training sessions and was battling an illness ahead of his debut.
But it was Mkhitaryan who caught Wenger’s eye, drawing comparisons with Santi Cazorla.
“There are similarities there. Santi was an exceptional football player. But he for sure has the technical level to play for us,” Wenger said.
“I met Mkhitaryan before he came here, because I always liked his game. He’s a player completely focused on football, dedicated totally to the game. He’s happy to be here.”