Arsenal without 'wonderful' key player v Leeds today, fans should be concerned - TBR View

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn’t in the Arsenal squad against Leeds United.

Earlier this week, the Gunners manager stripped the veteran striker of the captain’s armband.

While Arteta hasn’t disclosed how Aubameyang broke the rules, he reportedly returned late from a trip abroad.

However, stripping the captain of his armband is one thing, but freezing him out is another.

Aubameyang first missed the game over Southampton, then wasn’t involved against West Ham.

Now, the 32-year-old is set for at least one more game on the sidelines as Arsenal head to Leeds.

More worryingly, Arteta’s responses to Aubameyang’s availability and future have become coy.

On Friday, football.london asked him whether Aubameyang was available for selection.

“No, he’s not available for selection,” replied Arteta.

And when asked whether Aubameyang has a future at the club, the Spaniard’s eight-word reply was equally coy.

“For this game, he’s not available for selection,” said Arteta.

Now, The Telegraph has reportedly that Aubameyang won’t even train with the first team until after the Africa Cup of Nations.

This should concern Arsenal fans because the manager has previous in freezing high-profile players out.

Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi, to name but two.

Will Aubameyang meet the same fate – Arteta to freeze him out and offload him in the next transfer window?

Can”wonderful” Arsenal player get a second chance?

Admittedly, Aubameyang hasn’t been in great form this season.

But he’s a player of the highest calibre and is bound to come good eventually.

Aubameyang has earned so many plaudits over the years – Gary Neville famously compared him to Thierry Henry.

“This is Thierry Henry, everything about it,” Neville told Sky Sports in February 2020 after Aubameyang’s goal against Everton.

“As he went through on goal you just imagined the great French striker sprinting down on goal, setting it out to that far post and scoring.

“It’s Aubameyang now, wonderful. He’s got so much pace and he times the run well.”

Whether he’ll get another chance at Arsenal, though – that remains to be seen.