Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019/20

#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang does just enough to be Arsenal’s saviour, again

Aubameyang was Arsenal's saviour again

Over the past couple of seasons, Arsenal have dug themselves quite a few almighty holes and they haven’t always been able to crawl out of it. However, on the occasions when they’ve succeeded, they’ve largely had Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang to thank.

Though the Gunners weren’t able to call upon the Frenchman, they had the Gabonese to rely upon and luckily, the latter didn’t disappoint.

Aubameyang was on the periphery for the majority of the game courtesy the visitors’ inability to launch the ball forward swiftly. Consequently, the striker was feeding off scraps with his brightest moments coming when Arsenal broke at pace.

However, when the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the Gabonese burst into life after sensing an opportunity.

Tuanzebe’s wayward pass enabled Saka to play Aubameyang through and the striker deliciously dinked the ball beyond an advancing De Gea.

Yet, even after a goal in his bag, the former Borussia Dortmund player failed to trouble the United rear-guard as much as Unai Emery would’ve hoped.

Moreover, the performance on Monday signified Lacazette’s importance to the side. Though the Frenchman isn’t as prolific as his strike partner, he certainly links up play better and brings others into play, meaning that the Gunners pose a much more potent threat.

And, while the debate of whether Aubameyang playing through the middle or alongside Lacazette is better left for another day, Arsenal were lucky that the Gabonese did just enough when the opportunity presented itself.

Else, another night at Old Trafford could’ve gone terribly pear-shaped for the Gunners, like many a time before.