Aubameyang can form "unbelievable" partnership with Mkhitaryan but work rate is an issue for Arsenal

To analyse what Arsenal would be getting for their money, we’ve enlisted the help of Bild’s Borussia Dortmund correspondent Sebastian Kolsberger to get the lowdown on the 28-year-old striker.

His temperament is a big talking point as he has developed a reputation now of being difficult but is this a fair characterisation?

When he moved to Dortmund four years ago, Auba was a funny guy who always had fun with his teammates. After Robert Lewandowski was gone (the Pole left for Bayern Munich in 2014), he became an inspiring figure for the young players.

For Ousmane Dembele he was like a big brother and he was helping him to develop. But in the summer the situation changed. He wanted to leave the club, but there was no offer for him.

It was a big mind change for him. He did everything to provoke a move, and he showed his real character. Everything is about money, and he doesn’t care about the club and his teammates.

Because of his age, is there a concern his pace is on the wane and obviously that’s an impressive ability of his but are we overlooking other aspects of his game?

Of course, his pace is his best skill but he’s coolness personified in front of goal. He’s also very good at reading the mistakes of his opponents.

Would he be better served through the middle or wide right and can he play with a more traditional striker like Alexandre Lacazette? 

Jurgen Klopp tried to put him on both wings, but he is lost there. If he is running down the wings, there is no one to follow him through the middle – he’s a typical striker. Can he play alongside Lacazette? I don’t know.

Real Madrid have always been talked up as a possible destination and they are crying out for a forward in his ilk but why in your opinion has that move never materialised? 

The level in Madrid is too high for him. He’s not among the best players in the world and he is not the guy who can decide a game alone. He needs his teammates to shine.

He’s one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, but what is he not so good at and needs to improve on? 

Auba has one big problem – work ethic during a game. If it doesn’t work well for the team, you won’t see him for 90 minutes. And he’s not a good motivator because on the pitch he is silent.

He’ll be joining up with Henrikh Mkhitaryan again, how good were they playing together particularly in the 2015/16 season under Thomas Tuchel and why should Arsenal fans be excited about that possible reunion?

With Micki the pair played very well. Together, they were an unbelievable team. They created so many goals and chances and if there is a reunion, the Arsenal fans can be very happy about it.

In a team with Mesut Ozil and Mkhitaryan, does he possess the type of defensive aptitude required for Arsene Wenger?

In Dortmund he never showed a defensive attitude. But it was never required by any coach.

In terms of the numbers behind the deal, what will it eventually cost Arsenal and will it be viewed as value for money?

The deal will cost Arsenal around €70million. For Dortmund it is more than value for the money because Auba will be 29 in the summer.

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