How Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Could Reignite His Borussia Dortmund Partnership With Henrikh Mkhitaryan At Arsenal

Had you told any Arsenal fan that they’d lose Alexis Sanchez in January, but sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in return, they’d likely have accepted that deal before the transfer window opened. While Alexis’ move to Manchester United is a bitter pill to swallow, it’s hardly the dagger through the heart that came with Robin van Persie’s move to Old Trafford in 2012, with the arrival of Mkhitaryan in exchange easing the blow.

The Armenian has struggled for consistency after a strong start to the campaign - Mkhitaryan’s five Premier League assists came in the opening three games - and ultimately lost his place in the team following a disagreement with head coach Jose Mourinho in the wake of the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last November. However, given the attacking freedom to excel, there is no reason why Mkhitaryan can’t rediscover his best form in north London and you get the impression that Arsene Wenger is the man to bring out the best in the 29-year-old.

Crucial to that, though, is the arrival of Aubameyang. The duo were hugely effective in their final season together at Borussia Dortmund prior to Mkhitaryan’s move to Manchester United in 2016. The latter was one of two players to register double figures for both goals (11) and assists (15), as per WhoScored.com, while the former smashed in 25 league goals that campaign.

The duo combined to provide six league goals for one another in the 2015/16 season and the hope among Arsenal fans now is that they can rekindle that partnership that worked so devastatingly well for Borussia Dortmund. That being said, their respective arrivals presents Wenger with a selection migraine to say the least. Arsenal spent big to sign Alexandre Lacazette over the summer and while the Frenchman has struggled of late, scoring just one goal in his last 11 competitive appearances the former Lyon man will demand regular first team action in a World Cup year.

Rather than compete with Aubameyang, however, Wenger could maximise their respective attacking qualities and partner the pair in a two-man strike force. The Gunners boss has previously strived to add another direct forward to his squad, as his pursuit of Jamie Vardy and the signing of Lucas Perez suggests. In 2012, Wenger also mentioned that the 4-4-2 formation is his preferred setup and isn’t an out of the blue system, having implemented the formation upon his appointment.

It could well be seen as a back-to-basics move by Wenger, but Aubameyang’s capture hints that he may start his side in a 4-4-2 in the foreseeable future. The 28-year-old works best when playing on the shoulder of the last defender, whereas Lacazette is a more adept individual when it comes to dropping deeper to link up play. Factor in the willingness of full-backs in Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac to press forward and the abundance of central midfielders at Wenger’s disposal, and a narrow 4-4-2 formation has the means to succeed at the Emirates Stadium.

Of course, Aubameyang’s arrival wouldn’t be the missing piece in the jigsaw - a designated holding midfielder would be a necessity in order to maintain balance within the side - but with he and Mkhitaryan in the XI, and the option to include Mesut Ozil, Wenger would have the personnel required to break forward with speed. Mkhitaryan has the pace to keep touch with Aubameyang when they do spring upfield in the blink of an eye, while the Gabon star has the aerial prowess to hurt opponents should Wenger need a Plan B approach.

No player has scored more headed goals than Aubameyang (10) since the start of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season, with his strength in the air meaning the sanction of Oliver Giroud’s sale - the striker is being linked with a move to Chelsea - wouldn’t be as detrimental to the side. Ideally, Arsenal would have convinced Alexis to sign a new long-term deal with the club, but to come away with Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang in the wake of the Chilean’s exit has eased the blow. If the duo can hit the ground running, then Arsenal’s chances of domestic success and a Champions League return increases significantly.