Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winning goal for Gabon on Thursday, propelling them to the top of their AFCON qualification group.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put on the armband for his country on Thursday, leading Gabon out against Group D leaders Gambia.

Gabon knew they could steal into top spot with a win, and Denis Bouanga gave them an early lead in the first half. After the break, Aubameyang doubled their lead, getting on the end of a Bouanga early cross in clinical fashion for 2-0.

Gambia pulled one back in the 81st minute, but it wasn’t enough to stop Gabon from picking up all three points. At the halfway point in the group, they lead it by three, although D.R. Congo can cut the gap to two with a win in their game in hand against Angola.

Aubameyang’s goal for Gabon as a CF pic.twitter.com/5K38qOZpV5

— Met. (@AFCMet) November 12, 2020

Arsenal fans will note that Aubameyang was playing as a centre-forward with Gabon. He scored utilising his expert movement down the middle, movement we haven’t seen often this season as he runs the flanks in North London.

It’s Gambia, not Manchester City, we’re all well aware of that. But it’s not as if Aubameyang struggled when he did play down the middle for Arsenal in the past. He never went on scoring droughts as long as Alexandre Lacazette’s, anyway.