Arsenal should be worried about some of the "lazy" performances that their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has put in for the club this year, according to Jamie Carragher.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher outlined why he feels that Arsenal will fear that they have another situation, akin to the drawn-out Mesut Ozil affair, on their hands after another lacklustre Aubameyang performance during the Gunner's rout at the hands of Liverpool.
Issue date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021."I think that there will be a big worry at Arsenal and for Mikel Arteta that they may have another Mesut Ozil situation where they give someone a big contract at £300,000 or £350,000 a week," Carragher said.
"Good luck to him, but you have got to justify that. Next season, and in the coming months that will be going through the manager's mind.
"Have we got another situation like that because what he is producing right now is nowhere near good enough considering how good a player he is and also what Arsenal have invested in him?"
After scoring 22 goals in the Premier League last season, the Arsenal frontman has only hit the target nine times in the league over the course of this season.
Issue date: Saturday April 3, 2021.When Aubameyang fails to hit the net, Carragher questioned what he brings to Mikel Arteta's side.
"I think Aubameyang's performances this season have been lazy, at times," Carragher said.
"I do not care how many goals he gets- he has won Golden Boots in the past- but he is definitely a player who doesn't bring anything to this team if he does not score a goal, and that is a big problem.
"He was late for the North London derby and the manager took a big decision, and it paid off.
"I am expecting a big reaction from Aubameyang. He then plays midweek, misses a few chances and is not his best in the Europa League game.
"I watched him at West Ham and I would go as far as to say it is one of the worst performances I have seen this season.
"I was commentating on the game and when he went off the pitch in the 77th minute, Arsenal scored and he celebrated with [Alexander] Lacazette and I said that is the most energetic I have seen him this season.
"He then gets brought off against Liverpool. This is your star man getting taken off in the last two games on the back of me wanting to see a reaction."
Arsenal handed Aubameyang a new contract during the summer, a deal that raised some eyebrows considering his age.
He has yet to emulate the ruthless goalscoring form this season that became commonplace throughout his years at Borussia Dortmund and over his first two seasons in London.
Arsenal take on Slavia Praha on Thursday evening in the quarter-final of the Europa League and they will hope Aubameyang can fill his boots and return to his best form in the process.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
