Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Olympique de Marseille has become a subject of intense scrutiny, with the once-prolific striker struggling to replicate his scoring feats in Ligue 1, leading to widespread criticism.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, once lauded for his prolific scoring prowess at Arsenal, is now facing a wave of criticism at Olympique de Marseille.
The 34-year-old striker’s performance has been a point of contention, particularly in Ligue 1, where he has managed only one goal in 12 games this season.
Rachid Zeroual, leader of the South Winners 87, a Marseille fans’ group, expressed his discontent on RMC radio, remarking, “We can’t be patient with Aubameyang, it’s not possible. It’s Club Med, he came to retire.
“With him, OM is the nursing home.”
Zeroual’s critique not only points to Aubameyang’s underwhelming performance but also questions his motivation for joining Marseille.
Aubameyang’s struggle has been evident in a number of games, including in a goalless draw against Lille OSC, where he failed to even register a shot on target, leading to audible disapproval from the home crowd.
This reaction underscored the growing impatience among Marseille fans, who expected more from the former Arsenal captain.
Marseille’s coach, Gennaro Gattuso, has come to Aubameyang’s defence, stating, “The only difficulty I see is that he is not scoring… I do not see a player in great difficulty.” Gattuso’s comments suggest a belief in Aubameyang’s ability to overcome his current form.
However, the scrutiny over Aubameyang’s performance extends beyond the pitch. French media outlets, including L’Équipe and La Provence, have been critical from early in the season, with La Provence remarking, “Five league games have passed, and the summer’s star signing is yet to score a single goal.”
Despite the local criticism, Aubameyang has shown flashes of his old self in other competitions, scoring twice in both the Europa League and Champions League qualifiers. His total tally stands at five goals and three assists in 17 matches across all competitions, indicating some level of effectiveness remains.
Aubameyang’s journey post-Arsenal has been a rollercoaster.
After leaving the North London club in January 2022, he experienced a successful spell at Barcelona, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances, but his time at Chelsea was less fruitful, scoring just three in 21.
His move to Marseille was expected to reignite his career, but the reality has been markedly different, with his performances not matching the heights of his predecessor, another former Arsenal man in Alexis Sanchez.
As Marseille prepare for upcoming fixtures in both the Europa League and Ligue 1, the spotlight on Aubameyang’s contribution continues to intensify.
The question remains whether he can rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers or if he is, as Zeroual suggested, already mentally retired to the beach.