Martin Keown says Arsenal must find a way to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in

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Legendary Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has said that Mikel Arteta must find a way to integrate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back into the fold over the busy Christmas period.

Aubameyang has been left out of proceedings by Arteta after a breach of discipline saw him stripped of the captaincy at The Emirates as well. It was a bold call from Arteta, and one which has divided opinion among the Arsenal fans.

Arteta has confirmed that Aubameyang won’t be involved at Leeds this weekend either. However, according to form defender Keown, the Gunners boss needs to create a pathway for the Gabon striker to return.

“I understand why the captaincy has been taken away. But i’d still like to see a bridge being built between the club and the player to see him return to the team,” Keown told Talksport.

“There’s lots of games over Christmas to come. The busiest time of the season. You want him back in the fold, although it doesn’t look like there’s a future for him now. Let’s wait and see what happens. I wouldn’t want to lose him. Fourth place is up for grabs. If he can come back fit, well and his mind is together, then there’s an opportunity. There’s got to be a pathway back.”

Arsenal take on Leeds this weekend before facing off against Norwich, Wolves, and Man City over the festive period in the Premier League. There’s also a Carabao Cup tie with Sunderland sandwich in between.

TBR’s View: Aubameyang Has A Long Way To Go To Redemption At Arsenal

While Keown – a member of the Arsenal invincibles – is well placed to offer his opinion here, you can’t help but feel Aubameyang has a long way to go.

It seems Arteta has made quite the example of the striker. Of course, Keown does have a point in that Arteta could probably do with burying this eventually and working together.

But for now, there seems to be no quick way back to ‘Auba’. If there is, then it will be down to both the player and the club to act accordingly and respectively.