BBC pundit shares what Arsenal players would’ve learnt from Arteta’s Aubameyang decision

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BBC pundit Nedum Onuoha has had his say on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of his captaincy.

The Gabon star was dropped from the Gunners squad over the weekend for a disciplinary breach. This was the second time Aubameyang had been punished in public by Arteta, and the Arsenal boss made it three by announcing that the striker will no longer be the captain of the club.

That has given rise to a lot of opinions from fans, pundits and the media. Most of them have backed Arteta’s decision, and Onuoha is one of them.

The 35-year-old claimed that trust matters in football and what Aubameyang did broke that. He even said that it’s difficult for the ex-Dortmund man to come back from this situation, it may even be impossible.

Nedum Onuoha: Arteta has made a statement to Arsenal players through Aubameyang decision

Onuoha has backed Arteta’s call on Aubameyang and he also feels that the Arsenal manager’s decision will have sent a strong message to the rest of the squad.

He told BBC Sport: “Aubameyang broke the trust; those things matter. As soon as that trust is gone, from your teammates or the manager, it’s hard to get it back – some may say even impossible.

“It feels like Mikel Arteta is making a statement to the players. He’s saying a problem which you make yourself isn’t just going to be kept in house and be something you can just get away with.”

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Onuoha is right and that is arguably the only positive Arsenal can take out of this situation.

Arteta has made it clear to everyone in the squad that indiscipline will not be tolerated. If the captain, who is also the club’s highest-paid player, can be punished, it means that nobody else will be spared either if they cross the line.

That should improve things at Arsenal behind the scenes, but this is still a situation Arteta could have done without. Stripping Aubameyang of his captaincy ahead of a very busy festive period is not ideal at all, but the Gunners have no choice but to deal with that now.

It will be interesting to see if the decision will have any effect on the side against West Ham tonight.