Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to shine this season after the return of fans.
The sticker scored a hat-trick in the Gunners’ second-round Carabao Cup win over West Brom and has been tipped by his manager to do well this season.
After a series of poor results, Mikel Arteta’s side got their campaign up and running with a 6-0 rout of Championship side West Brom.
A hat-trick from Aubameyang and goals from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette were enough to hand Arteta his first win of the season and temporarily ease the pressure on the Spaniard.
Speaking to the press after the game, the manager was full of praise for his striker, agreeing that the return of fans made a difference in his performance.
When asked if the fans can make a difference in Aubameyang’s performances, Arteta answered: ‘I hope they do.
‘Obviously, he is a really happy character, and he needs that connection with people; with family, with friends, with fans.
‘You could see the interaction when he left the pitch, and I think that is something really positive for him, yes.’
Aubameyang missed Arsenal’s opening game of the season as he was infected with Covid-19. But he came on as a substitute during the second half, in their defeat to Chelsea last weekend. The Gabon striker will now hope to carry on his scoring form at the Hawthorns.
Arteta was pleased with the overall performance of his team. He is optimistic that the win will give them confidence ahead of his side’s Saturday’s tough trip to Manchester City.
‘When you lose a game, as quick as possible, you have to win,’ he added. ‘Today’s game is going to give us some confidence. We had players who played some first minutes.
‘Auba after his Covid, to get some minutes and score three goals for his confidence is going to be great. Overall I think it was a really positive night.’
