'Unfortunately, it wasn't': Arteta names four things Aubameyang recently lacked as Arsenal captain

By Shamanth Jayaram

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shed further light on the reasons behind his decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of his captaincy.

The Gabon star was dropped from the Gunners squad after what was described as a ‘disciplinary breach’. It was unclear at the time what the repercussions would be, but we now know that Arteta took the strongest possible step.

Aubameyang will no longer be a part of Arsenal’s leadership group and he won’t be involved in the game against West Ham United tonight either.

Arteta was quizzed about what he expects from an Arsenal captain that Aubameyang has lacked in the recent past. Here’s what he said…

Mikel Arteta names four things Aubameyang recently lacked as Arsenal captain

The Arsenal manager said in his press conference, as per Hayters TV: “What I expect about any person in this football club that is representing this badge is passion, that he gives absolutely 100 per cent, that he puts the club in front of any personal interests and is able to do anything to fulfil the badge we have on that chest.

“Apart from that, you can listen to the individuals, you can understand the different cultures.

“But, that commitment and that passion has to be there. Unfortunately (with Auba), it wasn’t.”

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Arsenal had a fair bit of success with Aubameyang as the captain in Arteta’s first eight months at the club. The ex-Dortmund man helped the Gunners win the FA Cup and the Community Shield, and he was undoubtedly their best player during that period.

Aubameyang’s form since, however, has been shocking. He hasn’t looked anything like his previous self and the indiscipline behind the scenes just gave rise to more problems.

By the looks of things, it seems like Arteta had no choice but to take such a drastic decision.

Aubameyang will definitely not be happy, but he will have to accept it, apologise and win the Arsenal boss’ trust again to get back into the squad. If he doesn’t, he will be forced out, just like his good pal Mesut Ozil was.