The club has already parted ways with Junior Firpo, Carles Alena, and unintentionally Lionel Messi. Now the club wants to be rid of two of their expensive mistakes, Phillipe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite.

The Brazilian Coutinho was an inspired signing after great seasons for Liverpool as their creative master. Now after an over £105 million transfer sum, it seems like more money down the drain.

Braithwaite was a panic buy two years ago after the injury of former striker Luis Suarez. Two seasons and nine goals later and it was clear this was a mistake.

Reports have circulated that the Barca higher-ups have already made out a shortlist of possible swap deals. Arsenals two veteran goalscorers, Aubameyang and Lacazette have been named as possible replacements.

After both players missed Arsenal’s humiliating opening game with illness and the reports have only grown stronger.

Not sure about this one, but would you take Coutinho at Arsenal? #AFC #AFTV pic.twitter.com/Hqm2zvlbXs

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 15, 2021

Is this a good deal for Arsenal or Barcelona?

For Arsenal, this could be great. After a terrible season in front of goal for the club, they should be happy to part ways with Aubameyang, especially if that means that Coutinho could come to the club.

The Gabonese striker is three years older than Coutinho who recently won a Champions League while on loan at Bayern Munich.

Braithwaite on the other hand, would not be as promising of a swap deal. Both Lacazette and the Dane are the same age but Braithwaite has never shown any quality that warranted the move to Barcelona.

The Gunners will be looking to get the French forward off their services, with 13 goals in 31 games last year, but only to make way for younger talent.

Arsenal has also got strong links with a move for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine was an important part of their Serie A success last year and after the departure of Romelu Lukaku, do not expect Martinez to go for cheap.

These are worrying times for Arsenal fans and the sooner they can sign new players, the better.

Lautaro Martinez is for SALE

Inter agreed on a fee for Martinez with #THFC
They now want more money – 70-80m
Martinez wants to join an #EPL team

Will Tottenham or Arsenal land Lautaro this summer or will he stay? #afc

– https://t.co/CNJoObLzVd pic.twitter.com/n8hz6JYDVg

— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) August 8, 2021

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The Gabonese striker, now 32, was made famous in Borussia Dortmund and in early seasons at the Emirates for his speed and finishing. Last season he began to show signs of decline with his age.

Over a year ago, Aubameyang signed a huge £250,000 per week contract at Arsenal and his goalscoring prowess seemed to disappear. It does not help that this dip in form coincided with the Gunners’ worst league finish in 25 years.

In the entire season, playing mainly on the wing but also as a striker, he scored 10 goals and got three assists. This tally is even worse than his first season at the club where he joined them in the January transfer window, that year he scored 10 and assisted four.

Speaking at a press conference, Arteta was asked about his captain’s current slump in form:
“I don’t know – last season and everything that happened individually, collectively around the club for everybody, it was difficult to measure if that’s a trend or a one-off.”

All behind you @auba !!

Lets get the season going with a bang! pic.twitter.com/jbR9FbVmnU

— DA EDITS (@DannyAllen86) August 13, 2021

The main problems for the talismanic player were that he was not getting himself in goalscoring positions, only taking two shots every 90 minutes and his finishing was below par with a less than 20 percent conversion rate.

The manager still has confidence in his captain and will most likely be giving him a major role in their opening game of the season.

“Our job is to help the players get the best that they have, and we know that with [Aubameyang] we are stronger. He scores goals and that’s one of the most important things in this game,” added Arteta.

Arsenal will begin their Premier League resurgence tonight away to Brentford at 20:00.

I'd love the Aubameyang that did this to show up today. pic.twitter.com/pOU7qiV2JQ

— evan 》 (@afcevan) August 13, 2021

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Despite being almost ¾ of the way through the Premier League season, Arsenal still found themselves in the bottom half of the table prior to this evening’s game against Leeds.

They had a horrific start to the season, finding themselves very close to the relegation zone for a prolonged period of time. Their improved form in January seen them climb the table but their February form left a lot to be desired going into the game, losing their previous 2 Premier League games.

They did, however, manage to get back to winning ways today with an impressive victory over a Leeds United side who have surpassed all expectations so far this season.

FIRST HALF

Arsenal started the game off with more intensity than they have done in previous games this season, moving the ball with intent and pressing quickly.

Their pressure paid off in the 13^th minute as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted the opener. He received the ball and made space for himself with a few stepovers before accurately directing the ball into the bottom corner.

Aubameyang could have scored his second near the half-hour mark as he found space in the box and shot at goal but he was denied by an outstanding block by Luke Ayling.

Arsenal thought they had the chance to double their advantage in the 33^rd minute as Bukayo Saka went down in the box after a brilliant run. Initially, the referee pointed to the spot to award a penalty but after further review from VAR, no penalty was awarded.

Just minutes later, though, Arsenal were awarded yet another penalty. However, this time it would stand. Saka earned the penalty again after pressuring goalkeeper Illan Meslier before being brought down in the box. Aubameyang stepped up to take the penalty and he made no mistake as he got his brace. 2-0 Arsenal.

Hector Bellerin all but finished the game off in the 44^th minute as he made it 3-0 after an excellent period of play with Saka at the heart of it yet again.

The first half ended 3-0 to Arsenal in one of their most convincing performances of the season.

SECOND HALF

Arsenal’s goalscoring didn’t stop there.

Just 2 minutes into the second half and they had their fourth. Aubameyang was the goalscorer yet again as he got his hat-trick. Surprisingly enough, it was Aubameyang’s first Premier League hat-trick given the amount of goals he’s scored.

It was another defensive error that led to the goal. Helder Costa tried to play out from the back but was caught in possession and his error eventually led to an Aubameyang back-post header.

The Gabon international has looked a shadow of his former self this season but today’s performance could do him the world of good, particularly given the personal problems he’s had to endure recently.

Leeds showed they still had some fight left in them as they pulled one back in the 58^th minute. It was Pascal Struijk who scored, and in doing so netted his first Premier League goal. The Dutch centre-back ventured into the box for a Leeds’ corner before he met the ball with an explosive header to make it 4-1.

Helder Costa was at fault for Arsenal’s fourth goal but he made up for that in the 68^th minute as he finished off a fine Leeds’ move with a powerful finish inside the box. 4-2 Arsenal.

Unfortunately for Leeds though, that was about as far as their comeback would go.

The match finished 4-2 to Arsenal after a fantastic first half performance.

Leeds sat 10^th and Arsenal sat 11^th prior to the match. Now though, given Arsenal’s victory, the teams have switched positions with Arsenal moving into the top half.

Hat-trick hero Aubameyang fires Arsenal to victory in an end-to-end encounter#ARSLEE pic.twitter.com/QquD1nFhir

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 14, 2021

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Manchester United needed to find consistency following their erratic form earlier in the season. It appeared they were on the way to doing so given their recent results. Their unbeaten run was ended tonight, however. Arsenal came out victors in what was a lacklustre Manchester United performance. Many would have favoured Manchester United for the victory tonight, but that wasn’t to be.

After all, Arsenal were in less than impressive form prior to the match. Before this evening, Arsenal had lost 4 of their previous 5 Premier League games. Their win this evening means they now sit 8^th in the Premier League table, moving up 5 places from 13^th.

The form of their talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been called into question this year. The striker’s goal return has been nothing short of incredible over the years. However, this year he has struggled to find the net with regularity. He will be satisfied with his performance tonight, though. His goal to make it 1-0 would turn out to be the winner. Having struggled for consistency so far this season, his goal tonight should give the striker a massive confidence boost.

”Mikel is bringing something very very nice and everyone wants to follow this way”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is loving life under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal@Aubameyang7 pic.twitter.com/tWactD3l71

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Oppositely, Marcus Rashford has been in incredible form of late. Rashford scored 6 goals in his last 4 games prior to today. His impressive return of 3 goals – as a substitute – midweek would have done his confidence no harm going into tonight. He failed to impress, though, as he was marshalled by the opposition and failed to find space throughout.

The match itself was anticipated to be an exciting affair but that wasn’t to be. While not being necessarily boring, the match was a tense affair. Arsenal kept the ball well in possession as Manchester United failed to disgruntle them by pressing high like they have done in the past.

In fact, it took 21 minutes before either team had a shot at goal. Academy graduates linked up as Marcus Rashford’s pinpoint ball was collected by Greenwood. He shot from a similar angle as his goal midweek, but Bernd Leno had no trouble as he comfortably dealt with his effort.

Arsenal struggled to create opportunities in the first half, but were quite clearly the better team. Lacazette had the best chance as the ball fell to him inside the box after a good passing move. He failed to make a connection with the ball though and the move broke down. Saka also had an opportunity from a header towards the end of the half, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Aubameyang had his first real chance of the game shortly after the first half commenced. Indecision from Fred allowed Lacazette to intercept and set up the Gabonese hitman. David De Gea had no problems, however, as his shot went wide of the post.

Manchester United had an opportunity of their own not long afterwards. Harry Maguire got his head to the ball from a good set piece delivery, but his attempt went just wide.

Paul Pogba was the villain in the 67^th minute as his clumsy challenge inside the box brought down Hector Bellerin. Mike Dean made his decision almost immediately as he pointed to the spot. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended his drought of 5 games without scoring by tucking away the resulting penalty.

AUBAAAAAAA!#MUNARS 0-1 (69) pic.twitter.com/6zPDyemRgf

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) NOVEMBER 1, 2020

United nearly got their equalizer on 84 minutes after a series of mishaps in the Arsenal box. Donny Van de Beek crossed the ball into the box before his cross bounced off Elneny and Leno on the way to hitting the post. In truth, it would have been very unfortunate for Arsenal as they had dominated much of the match.

Arsenal managed to hang on as the match finished 1-0. Aubameyang’s strike was the difference in an important match for both clubs.

Arsenal win a #PL match at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006 #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/NVsHLM44E2

— Premier League (@premierleague) NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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