Aubameyang produced the assist that led to Nicolas Pepe’s goal in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague on Thursday night but he did start the game on the bench.

 

The 31-year-old striker has been a shadow of his old self this season and has netted just nine Premier League goals over the course of the campaign.

 

 

He signed a new three-year contract last year but since then his performances have declined, with boss Mikel Arteta eventually dropping him to the bench against Slavia Prague.

 

Carragher insisted that there are no doubts that the striker deserved to sign the new deal last year but thinks since then he has been nothing but poor for the Gunners.

 

 

While his performances are concerning, the former defender believes Arsenal should be more worried about the attitude he has shown on the pitch in recent weeks.

 

He wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph: “Aubameyang deserved to be rewarded for his performances. There was relief from fans when he committed his future.

 

 

“Had he left, there would have been criticism of the club and accusations of lack of ambition.

 

“Since then he has been a shadow of the striker he was.

 

“That’s his responsibility, not that of the Arsenal board. He owes the club far more than he is delivering.

 

“Form can dip, but it’s the attitude and demeanour of Aubameyang during the course of this season which is most concerning.

 

“At times he has looked disinterested.

 

“Being benched for last night’s Europa League quarter-final was a clear signal of Arteta’s dissatisfaction with him.

 

“Aubameyang’s recent performance against West Ham, when he was subbed after 81 minutes, was one of the poorest I have seen in the Premier League this season.”

 

Aubameyang was also dropped from the Arsenal team ahead of the north London derby last month.