Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ‘did not look happy’ during Mikel Arteta’s first match in charge of Arsenal as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Saturday.
That is the opinion of Liverpool legend Phil Thompson, who says Arteta will be ‘pleased’ with the spirit his new side demonstrated against Eddie Howe’s side despite only leaving the south coast with a point.
Arsenal were forced to come from behind to rescue a draw after Dan Gosling put the hosts ahead in the first half, but Aubameyang’s second-half goal saw Arteta secure a draw in his first match as manager.
Aubameyang netted his 12th Premier League goal of the season during the match but the Gabon striker ‘did not look happy’ with the formation Arteta opted with, according to Thompson.
‘Arteta will be pleased that they showed a bit of spirit to come back from being a goal down,’ the Anfield hero told Sky Sports. ‘But it wasn’t a great performance.
‘They had most of the possession but the end product wasn’t there. Lacazette was down the middle and it seemed like Aubameyang was straying further down the left.
‘He didn’t look too happy at being pushed out to accommodate this formation to get Mesut Ozil in. But to be fair Ozil was in this game. He caused them problems.
‘But Bournemouth got in front and you felt they would get the better of Arsenal at that stage.’
Thompson also praised Arteta for his conduct on the touchline, adding: ‘I was pleased to see Arteta more vocal than ever before.
Aubameyang with the first goal under Arteta…
Trademark, instinctive finish and @Arsenal are level#PLonPrime #BOUARS pic.twitter.com/U8I1aftOtL
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 26, 2019
‘We’ve become used to seeing him quite passive but he was passionate, he was directing players. I would think he’s quite happy.
‘But Arsenal have now just won once from 14 games. That’s not good enough for this club. Once they got level they should have gone on and won the game.’
Arsenal, now 11th in the Premier League, face London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
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