An ideal Alexis Sanchez replacement for Arsenal? Wenger should go for this Bundesliga goal machine

Number Talk: Alexis Sanchez vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Should Arsenal Sign Him To Replace Sanchez?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in a shock move to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund. The forward is understood to be looking for an exit from the German giants and although other Premier League giants have displayed an interest, the Gunners are set to enter the race.

With key player Alexis Sanchez adamant about leaving the club, Arsene Wenger has very little choice but to sanction a move this January to avoid losing him for free in the summer. The manager has been quite vocal about his determination to keep the Chilean but Sanchez’s disinterest in staying back has reflected at times in his performances this season and it might be best for everybody if they just let him leave.

However, considering the kind of influence Sanchez has at the club, Wenger will be aware of the fact that he does not have a worthy replacement. Last season, fans were furious after the Gunners failed to seal a Champions League spot. The club eventually renewed Wenger’s contract for the next two years amidst a lot of furore but if Sanchez leaves, their chances will be severely dented this season. But is Aubameyang the right player to replace Sanchez?

Although he is a centre-forward, he can also play on the wings. Let’s take a look at how their stats compare this season.

Alexis Sanchez vs Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

In 20 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season, Sanchez has managed to score 8 goals and 3 assists. He has picked up 4 yellow cards in the process and averages 3.6 shots per game. His pass success-rate stands at 72.9% and he wins about 0.8 aerial duels per game. He has picked up 3 Man of The Match awards so far and makes about 2.7 key passes. Additionally, he makes about 2.1 dribbles per game.

Aubameyang, on the other hand, has appeared 21 times for Dortmund and that includes appearances in the Bundesliga as well as in the Champions League. He has scored 17 goals and 3 assists while even picking up a red card. He averages 3.8 shots per game and has a pass success-rate of 76.4%. Aerially, he wins about 1.3 battles on an average and has won the Man of The Match award twice so far. He makes an average of 0.8 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game.

Verdict

Currently, they play in different positions and hence the numbers may show disparity. However, when it comes to basic attributes like shots per game and passing, they have more or less the same numbers. Sanchez, when fully determined to play, is a lethal goalscorer but he has slacked off this season and hence Aubameyang has scored more goals than him. That said, the Gabonese international is also better in aerial encounters and could prove to be a worthy replacement.