‘Arsenal have reached new levels of BORING in attack’ – Mikel Arteta blamed amid calls for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang change

Mikel Arteta has been blamed for Arsenal ‘reaching new levels of boring going forward’, and has been urged to give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a more central role to fix their attacking woes.

The Gunners will have a lot to prove when they return to Premier League action next weekend, after their embarrassing home defeat to Aston Villa last time out.

It was a very bad day at the office for Arteta and co last time out against Aston Villagetty

Their performance was so bad, diehard Arsenal fan and host of the Highbury Squad podcast, Sophie Nicolau, says it was even more embarrassing than the famous 8-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Some claim, that, and it’s backed up by stats which do not make for good reading for Arteta, his players and frustrated Gooners.

There has been plenty of cause for optimism during Arteta’s brief spell in charge. Their defence has looked more solid, they have bought into the coach’s vision and his signings have made the team stronger.

But it all went to pot against Villa, and it appears his attacking tactics have gone out the window altogether this season, with Arsenal’s attack currently ranked as the worst in the entire Premier League.

Despite having the likes of Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and summer signing Willian at their disposal, the Gunners have found the net just NINE times in eight league appearances, and that isn’t the worst of it.

They have also recorded the lowest amount of shots in the second half (33) of games out of the entire 92 clubs in the EFL.

Aubameyang has scored just two goals in eight Premier League games so far this seasonGetty - Pool

Questions have been asked over their consistency, having having followed up back-to-back wins over Man United in the Premier League and Molde in the Europa League by losing 3-0 against Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

So where are Arsenal right now, and what has happened to the good vibes in north London under Arteta?

We put that question to Nicolau, who admitted it’s not looking good and insisted Arteta must ring the changes in this team – starting with Aubameyang’s role.

“I thought the Villa result was as embarrassing as the 8-2 at Old Trafford,” the Arsenal fan and podcast host told talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast.

“I think Arteta saw his team for the first time really crumble in front of his eyes. He looked a bit shell shocked in the press conference.

“My goodness, we are boring to watch. I think we’ve reached new levels of boring when it comes to how we play up front. It’s worse than under George Graham.

Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe have just six Premier League goals between them this season. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Heung-min Son have both scored more on their ownAFP or licensors

“Against Man United we had two shots on goal, and one of them was the penalty. It’s been really poor, and I think Arteta is exceptionally accountable for the regression of our forward play.

“The other thing Arsenal fans are really stuck on is this question about Aubameyang playing on the left, why Arteta hasn’t dropped Lacazette, and the fact that maybe he’s showing favouritism with certain players.

“He’s trying to squeeze Willian in, but it just hasn’t been working.

“Aubameyang almost won the Golden Boot last season playing on the left-hand side, and now things aren’t going so well people are screaming for him to play down the middle, and Lacazette is almost becoming the scapegoat.

“But I also think Aubameyang has been so poor signing his new contract.

“Aubameyang looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders right now, he looks like he’s carrying a lot of pressure and stress and you can see it’s getting to him.

“He saved us last season, don’t forget, he can score a wondergoal out of nothing, but right now it’s just not clicking, it’s not working.

“There was this rapport Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe had, especially in the FA Cup last season, and I think he enjoyed playing in that trio.

“Arteta will have to change things when he comes back because we’ve got Leeds, Wolves and Tottenham next, all teams that break really quickly and they’ll be tough games for us.

“We have to find goals from somewhere and Aubameyang is going to be the man, so why not try him down the middle?”