Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta has said ‘he has never seen’ captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang perform they way he is doing now for the Gunners in the Premier League.

Speaking to Arsenal website, Arteta said: “I have never seen Auba transmit what he is doing now.”

“Apart from the goals, the celebration when they put the ball in the net, do you see the way he runs? The purpose he has to press the ball, and when he takes it his movement, his link, how is leading the game—that is when he is changing the rest, not when he is static and then he puts the ball in the net. I prefer this Auba.”

Arteta said this after the captain for Gabon’s influential performance in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Friday in a Premier League match.

He scored and played a part in creating the other goals which Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe scored.

The manager said it was encouraging that the senior players in the team are taking more responsibility.

“For me it is a click. It is a combination that realising that his role has to go well beyond that. What was good, or very good, two or three years ago, with his role in this team, at this club, it is not enough. He had to take a step forward. I would say the same with Laca, look what he is transmitting, not  just doing or playing, what he is transmitting. For me that is really, really important,” he said.

“They lead by example and not only there but as well at the training ground. Certain things, a role they could have had three years ago in the squad, now it has changed. 

“Human beings change themselves every six months, they have all new selves, and it’s incredible so we are able to adapt very quickly and manipulate and change our minds very quickly as well. They are doing that for the benefit of the club, but for sure for the benefit of themselves [too].”

Arsenal started the season on a low note after losing three consecutive games to stay bottom but they have since picked up form to move to position 10 on the log table with 14 points from nine games.