Thierry Henry, the legendary Arsenal striker has a statue in front of the Emirates Stadium and rightly so.
For eight years, he reigned supreme in the Premier League, scoring goals for fun and will forever be immortalized for his brilliant role in the Invincibles season of 2003/04. They went the whole season unbeaten, with Henry’s goals turning defeats into draws and draws into defeats. His combination of ace, power, and superior finishing must have felt impossible to match, but in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, we finally have a player that comes close.
The Gabonese striker has shone since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the winter of 2018, and in his first full season in England, won the Golden Boot award, albeit shared with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, all on 22 goals.
While not blessed with the sheer arrogance, finesse and pomp of Henry, Aubameyang is equally as dangerous in front of goal, putting away chances with reckless abandon. He scored twice in the 2-1 away win at Turf Moor against Burnley, making him hit the 30-goal mark in all competitions, quite remarkable given that he has not always played in his preferred central striker position.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal poses with the Premier League Golden Boot award.
With his goals, Arsenal should have made the Champions League places, but the defence is something Unai Emery will have to address in the close season. The Gunners have been atrocious away from home all season, and will have to reinforce at the back to mount any form of title challenge next term.
With the number 14 emblazoned at the back of his shirt Aubameyang has shown he can be a stable and steady supply of goals, and alongside Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal have two strikers that most teams will love to have.
His second goal at Burnley must have been taken from the Thierry Henry playbook. Sense a mistake, run into space, arch your body and place in the corner. Easy on the eye, but takes years of practice to perfect the art.
There is still the Europa League final to play, and with Chelsea not having the best defence in Europe, Aubameyang will be looking to do what Henry could not manage at Arsenal: win a European trophy. He may not get a statue at the Emirates, but finally Arsenal have a striker that reminds them of the glory days. No one would have thought of it.