Arsenal 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: 5 talking points as Gunners end season with victory | Premier League 2020-21

Arsenal overcame Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0
Arsenal overcame Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0

#3 Has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost his eye for goal?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored just 10 Premier League goals this season
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored just 10 Premier League goals this season

With only one goal in his last five Premier League matches, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to have lost his sharpness. The striker managed only 15 goals in 39 games in all competitions, a far cry from his personal best of 31 in 51 three seasons ago.

Aubameyang signed a contract extension ahead of the new season, much to the delight of Arsenal fans. However, things have not gone according to plan since then, raising the question of whether Mikel Arteta should start Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah or even Folarin Balogun ahead of him.

Nonetheless, Aubameyang, who turns 32 next month, remains a vital player.

“We know that it has been a really complicated season for him for many reasons, one is a personal one which has been challenging," Arteta said.
“This is what it is all about in sport, when you have a difficult moment - how you react to that."

#4 Arsenal fail to finish above Tottenham Hotspur

Nicolas Pepe scored both goals for Arsenal against Brighton
Nicolas Pepe scored both goals for Arsenal against Brighton

Despite beating the Seagulls, Arsenal had to settle for eighth spot after Gareth Bale's late brace against Leicester City fired Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-2 win and sealed seventh place.

Tottenham have lost fewer matches, scored more goals and boast a superior goal difference to Arsenal this season. The Gunners are, in fact, the lowest-scoring team among clubs that finished in the top nine, and this is an area they need to improve on next season.


#5 No European football for Arsenal next season

Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League
Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League

Arsenal's eighth-place finish in the league means they will be without European football for the first time in 26 years next season.

Although missing out on Europe will have an impact financially, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal.

A season without European football will present an opportunity for Arsenal to focus on the Premier League, where they have failed to finish in the top four since 2015-16.

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