Arteta reflects on 'unpleasant situation' as Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy
Gary Neville has been proven right by the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fallout at Arsenal. Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta following a disciplinary breach – and the decision has seen one of Neville’s predictions come true.
Aubameyang lost the captaincy on Tuesday after returning late from a trip abroad for personal reasons in the build-up to Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.
The 32-year-old had reportedly been given permission to fly to France to visit his mother, but did not return when agreed, which had a knock-on effect on Arsenal's Covid protocols.
He was dropped from the squad for the match for a “disciplinary breach”, with Arteta reluctant to go into more detail beyond the brutal club statement released before his press conference on Tuesday.
Trouble with Aubameyang has been brewing for some time and it was Arteta’s decision to bench the striker and then bring on Eddie Nketiah ahead of him in the 2-1 defeat at Everton on December 6 which prompted Neville’s prediction.
“I think there'll be a problem with Aubameyang after this,” he said on Sky Sports.
“I don't think he'll like the idea of Nketiah coming on or being subbed full stop.
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Aubameyang is a target for Barcelona in the January transfer window (Image: GETTY)
“There's always a little bit of a bug between Arteta and Aubameyang. I know he's the captain but he leaves him out and it feels like something a bit awkward.
“It's going to cause a problem and I bet if he could get a bit of money for him and get someone else they would.
“And I bet if Aubameyang could he would move on as as well because it could turn a little sour.”
Aubameyang was made captain by former manager Unai Emery when Xhaka was removed from the role following a fallout with fans in November 2019.
The Gabon international has continued in the role under Arteta, but there have been flashpoints, like the time in March when he was left out of the side to face Tottenham after turning up late for a team meeting.
Neville’s theory could come true in the coming months, according to the Independent, which reports Barcelona are interested in signing Aubameyang.
Barca are in dire need of a striker, while Aubameyang would reportedly be willing to take a pay cut to join Xavi’s side in the January transfer window.
The idea of a swap deal for Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele has been floated by agents because the two are in a similar wage bracket.