I’ve not always believed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the best choice for club captain but on Sunday against Chelsea, the forward led by example for the whole match.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on December 29, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on December 29, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

As well as scoring Arsenal’s goal, his 13th in the league and 15 overall, he was a key figure in leading the Arsenal press and helping his side defend.

As this graphic from the Daily Telegraph clearly shows, he gave far more for Mikel Arteta against Chelsea than he ever gave for Unai Emery this season:

191230 daily telegraph auba deensive stats

That’s three tackles v Chelsea compared to his season average of 0.7, four clearances compared to 0.5, two interceptions compared to 0.2 and three ball recoveries compared to 1.7.

It’s also interesting to note that the graphic from the Telegraph states that Arteta has asked for ‘more defensive rigour from his players’ but that was something Unai Emery was also supposed to be demanding.

In fact, wasn’t that why Mesut Ozil was dropped? Because he wasn’t working hard enough defensively?