PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG convinced Mikel Arteta that he would score against Benfica after MISSING a penalty in training.
The Arsenal boss has revealed his happiness at how club captain Aubameyang, 31, reacted to the pre-game shock.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led Arsenal to victory over Benfica on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mikel Arteta revealed one training ground incident that gave him hope for the strikerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Speaking after the 3-2 win in Athens, which saw the striker score twice, Arteta detailed the positive mentality he had shown.
The 38-year-old told reporters: “Sometimes when you go through difficult moments, you can have those difficult moments and get into a sad mode and I think that’s the worst thing you can do.
“Because nobody has to feel sorry for themselves when you’re having those moments.
“What you have to do is get upset, get angry, work harder and approach the situation and face it.
“Face the challenge in a way that creates more motivation and more hunger to do it and I think in recent weeks I’ve seen that reaction.
“For example, in a training session before we played here, he missed a penalty and he was really upset.
“Instead of being sad he got upset and I said to the coaching staff that I like that and that he would be fine tomorrow.
“When you have that mentality, I think that’s the right way to approach it.”
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Aubameyang has endured a mixed campaign, recently scoring a hat-trick past Leeds before suffering a poor night in front of goal in the Europa League tie’s first leg.
But he made amends with two vital strikes on Thursday night, delicately chipping home a Bukayo Saka pass early on.
Another Saka ball was finished by Aubameyang’s header after 86 minutes to snatch the victory.
The striker will get another chance to exorcise his demons in the last-16 as Arsenal have been drawn against Olympiacos.
The Greek side knocked the Gunners out last season, with Aubameyang guilty of a poor miss in the dying moments.
But Arteta is confident that his star forward is set to continue his good form, starting with Sunday’s trip to Leicester.
The Arsenal manager stated: “He is getting into much better positions, his rhythm during the games is much better with and without the ball, his movement.
“The week before when we played Benfica, he had three big chances and I am not worried about him missing them because I know if he gets in those positions, he is going to be scoring consistently.
“So this is what he has to demand of himself. If we have Auba at his best, as a team we obviously have a much better chance to be successful.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
