Aubameyang accused of ‘dropping off’ since signing new Arsenal contract

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been off the ball ever since signing his Arsenal deal after drawing another blank, says Darren Bent.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester City extended Aubameyang’s goalless run in the Premier League to five games – the worst of his entire Arsenal career.

The Gunners skipper caused the opposition defense no problems, with his only notable effort going over the bar. His lack of form has coincided with Arsenal’s own goal problems, having failed to score in three of their last five games in all competitions.

This turnaround is a worrying sign for Mikel Arteta’s men as they head to Manchester United for their next Premier League fixture in the upcoming weekend after hosting Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday.

What’s more is that Aubameyang’s last league goal came in their opening day victory over Fulham, which was three days before he put pen-to-paper on a bumper new deal on September 15.

Coincidence or just bad luck? Darren Bent thinks not!

Speaking on his talkSPORT show ‘Boot Room’ on Sunday night, the former Tottenham striker said: “There has been a drop-off.

“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.”