In a stunning turnaround, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has risen from a period of intense criticism at Olympique de Marseille to become a key player banging them in.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s transfer to Olympique de Marseille just a few weeks ago was being met with significant scepticism, especially given his lacklustre performance early in the season.
The former Arsenal star, hailed for his scoring prowess, found himself struggling in Ligue 1, managing a mere goal in 12 games. This poor form sparked a wave of criticism, both from fans and the media.
Rachid Zeroual, leader of the South Winners 87, a Marseille fan group, voiced his frustration on RMC radio, saying, “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.” This harsh critique not only highlighted Aubameyang’s underperformance but also raised questions about his commitment to the club.
The French media were equally critical. L’Équipe and La Provence didn’t hold back in their comments. La Provence, notably, remarked early in the season, “Five league games have passed, and the summer’s star signing is yet to score a single goal.”
Gattuso, Marseille’s coach, however, stood by Aubameyang, emphasising his belief in the player’s abilities despite the criticism. Gattuso’s stance was that Aubameyang’s primary issue was simply not scoring, rather than any deeper problem with his gameplay or fitness.
Fast forward to the present, and the scenario has dramatically changed in those two weeks.
Aubameyang has silenced his critics with explosive performances, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just four matches.
His transformation was particularly notable in the game against Lorient, where he was instrumental in Marseille’s 4-2 victory.
Gattuso’s comments reflect this turnaround. Following the Lorient match, he said, “It may be amazing to you, but not to me. I see him every day, he works a lot and reaps the rewards. He’s a real professional, a hard worker.”
Aubameyang now has 12 goals and six assists in 21 appearances this season.
As for his former Arsenal strike partner, Alexandre Lacazette, he was also struggling after an exceptional first season back in France.
Amid talk that he could be sold due to his high wages and poor form, Lacazette emerged as the hero for Olympique Lyonnais (OL) by scoring a hat-trick in their 3-0 victory against Toulouse at Groupama Stadium this weekend.
This marked OL’s first home win of the season and Lacazette’s return to form after a two-month goal drought. His performance was a significant turnaround, especially considering OL’s recent 3-0 defeat at the Vélodrome.
Lacazette’s hat-trick was a crucial contribution in a match where OL faced the risk of slipping into a worse position. His goals, described as “almost identical achievements from surface foxes,” played a pivotal role in securing the win.
He acknowledged his return to scoring form in a post-match interview on Canal +, saying, “Today, I had balls in the area, which I managed to put in the back.”
Lacazette’s resurgence comes amid speculation about his future at the club. Reflecting on the team’s spirit, he said, “Feeling loved, feeling the strength of your group, that always feels good.”