Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not performing due to a lack of work rate, according to former Tottenham forward Darren Bent. Aubameyang has not scored in his last five Premier League appearances. The player ended speculation over his future in September by signing a new and improved contract with the Gunners. But the Gabon international has only scored once since - in the 2-1 Europa League victory at Rapid Vienna last Thursday. Bent says Aubameyang has looked a "shadow of himself" since he signed the contract. “There has been a drop-off,” Bent said on talkSPORT. “You look at his form in the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup last season, the Community Shield and his performance against Fulham – he was arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League, probably the best. “But since he signed that new contract, it might be a coincidence, but he’s looked a shadow of himself. He’s missed big opportunities in games, he’s not working with the same intensity, he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it as much. “Listen, confidence is massive in a striker. It is with any player, but particularly with a centre-forward, when you’re used to scoring as many goals as he is and then you suddenly stop scoring, it can be a little bit of a concern. “But I think it’s even the work rate as well. You remember, he was putting shifts up and down, he was all over the place, but he’s been nowhere near that level recently.”
Source: Express/*Join us on Telegram!