Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits Arsenal have "stagnated"

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 24 May 2018

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suggests that the arrival of Unai Emery at Arsenal is a good thing as the club have missed out on the Champions League two years running.

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confessed that the club he joined in January "has stagnated a little bit" over the past couple of seasons.

The Gabon international was speaking after Unai Emery was appointed on a three-year deal as long-term manager Arsene Wenger's successor.

Wenger had presided over a slump in performances, seeing his side miss out on the Premier League's top four in successive campaigns.

Aubameyang acknowledges that life without the Frenchman at the Emirates Stadium will be "weird", but has also suggested that it may be for the best.

"It's a bit of a mixed feeling," he told RMC. "On one hand, for the fans, it's odd that the boss is going, but it's a new start. To speak the truth, over the last few seasons the team has stagnated a little bit.

"But everyone is excited to see what can happen from next season. We already have a quality squad, but if we maybe had another two players that would be good. But everyone needs to get into their heads that we have to work hard to rival the top teams."

Aubameyang scored 10 Premier League goals in the second half of the Premier League season after arriving from Borussia Dortmund in a £56m deal.