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How Barcelona could line up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

With Barcelona being linked with a move for Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sports Mole takes a look at where the forward could line up at Camp Nou.

With just 18 months remaining on his contract at Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is inevitably being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

While there is no concern over the Gabon international being short of offers, Barcelona currently appear to be the favourites for the versatile attacker.

The Catalan giants are in the process of assessing short and long-term replacements for Luis Suarez, who is sidelined until May and could leave Camp Nou in the summer.

Despite Aubameyang turning 31 years of age in June, Barcelona may feel that they are still able to get value for money, with the frontman having contributed 16 goals in all competitions this season.

However, with Quique Setien just two games into his reign, it is unclear how Aubameyang would fit into the plans of the newly-appointed boss.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the player may line up in Barcelona's starting lineup.



BARXI with Aubameyang© Reuters

While Barcelona traditionally play with a back four, the arrival of Setien has led to a three-man defence being introduced, subsequently impacting the rest of the team.

With Lionel Messi a certain pick, it potentially leaves Setien having to choose between Aubameyang and Antoine Griezmann, who can play in each role across the forward line.

As a result of Messi being inclined to drop into wide and deep positions, Aubameyang would probably get the nod over Griezmann due to being more comfortable with playing on the shoulder of the last defender.

Such a mindset is less natural to the Frenchman, and the big-money signing from last summer would likely spend a significant amount of time among the replacements.

However, the World Cup winner could come back into the fold when Barcelona require less central midfielders, particularly in home matches against teams lower in the table.

Griezmann may take on the number 10 role, leaving Sergio Busquets to either drop out of the team or move further forward in place of Frenkie de Jong or Arturo Vidal.

The use of three centre-backs and two wing-backs is unlikely to change, although there may be occasions when Setien opts to use Busquets in the middle of his defence.

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New Barcelona manager Quique Setien on January 14, 2020
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2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
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11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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