He has matured as a leader: Toure says Arsenal skipper Aubameyang is ´an important one to keep´

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has “matured” since being made captain and is “an important one to keep” for Arsenal, says former Gunners defender Kolo Toure.

Since making his Arsenal debut in February 2018, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Aubameyang, whose return of 68 is matched only by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

The Gabon forward’s importance to the club was emphasised when former boss Unai Emery handed him the captaincy in November, a job he kept when Mikel Arteta took over a month later.

Aubameyang’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium remains shrouded in doubt with the 31-year-old into the final year of his contract and yet to commit to fresh terms, although Arteta has stated his belief their prized asset can be persuaded to stay.

Toure, a member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ title-winning team of 2003-04, said Aubameyang has shown the qualities needed to be a leader and is crucial for the Gunners.

“He’s a top player. I saw him grow. I can see that he’s matured now,” Toure told Stats Perform News.

“You can see as a captain he’s a leader, leading by example. He’s very focused. He’s working hard for the team.

“He’s a great captain and a great example. It’s really easy to talk but what are you showing us? Are you willing to fight for every ball? That’s what [Steven] Gerrard, [Patrick] Vieira, those great captains did.

“He’s an important one to keep.”

68 – No player has scored more goals for a @PremierLeague club than @Aubameyang7 since his debut for @Arsenal in February 2018 (68 goals, level with Mohamed Salah). Vital.

We preview Saturday’s @emiratesfacup final between the Gunners & @ChelseaFC in our pre-match video. pic.twitter.com/zNzX8Dj4vR

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 31, 2020

Arteta assumed the reigns after Emery’s tenure was ended 18 months on from being chosen as the successor to Arsene Wenger.

Toure believes Arteta has changed the culture at the club and the players are knuckling down for each other.

“I watched his first games. I was intrigued to see. I had an idea. In my mind I was thinking that the players were not playing together,” he said.

“You could see the attacking players and midfield were trying to press, but there was a big gap between midfield and the defence. That’s what he changed. When Arsenal press, they do so with high intensity.

“The back four are really high and the strikers are putting pressure to players on the ball, which is great.

“And culture – you can see every player is involved 100 per cent. They press together, when they defend deep, they defend all together. The strikers help.

“When they have the ball they can counter unbelievably with Aubameyang’s speed.

“He’s brought the team spirit and the mentality; ‘we are in this together’. No one can cheat in the team, this is non-negotiable. That’s the word he’s used.”

On Saturday, Arteta has the chance to win his first silverware as a head coach when Arsenal play the FA Cup final against Chelsea, for whom Frank Lampard is also aiming to end his maiden campaign in the Blues dugout with a trophy.

Toure is impressed by how both men have adapted to the touchline from their playing days.

“It’s unbelievable either could win a trophy in their first year. For ex-players to do that is unbelievable,” Toure said.

“Being an ex-player does not mean you are going to be a good manager. Their intelligence and understanding of the game, it’s different to being a player.

“Where you are on the pitch, you have to make quick decisions. The touchline is different. You have to analyse the game and be able to see things to improve your team.

“You have to plan and spot weaknesses. They are an inspiration for us. It gives me the belief that when you’ve been a player you can make a career as a manager.”