Arteta opens up on ‘painful’ Aubameyang axe decision

The Gabonese forward will no longer wear the skipper’s armband and won’t return to Arteta’s squad for the next match.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captain’s armband was a ‘painful’ decision.

The Spaniard, however, insists he had to ‘defend the interests of the football club’ and revealed he informed Aubameyang on his decision in person but stopped short of commenting on the star’s future.

"When those standards are not met, you know you can not participate in our daily basics."

Mikel Arteta comments on the decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of #AFC captaincy 🔊 pic.twitter.com/2Mo2lLs0Rq

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 14, 2021

“I think it’s a really clear statement from the club,” said Arteta in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of the game against West Ham on the next day.

“It’s a decision that we’ve made following the last incident that we had with the player and this is where we stand.

“When we have to make that decision, obviously it’s because that’s the right one to defend the interests of the football club. It’s been a lot to digest and a really difficult decision to make, so we need a bit of time.

“To make the decision that we made is because it was really hurting and it’s still like this and it needs a little of time to heal, so for now, again, he’s not involved in the squad.”

Asked how Aubameyang took the news, Arteta would only say: “He had to accept the decision.”

Finally, on the state of their relationship, the manager added: “Since I have been here, really, really good. That is why it is painful.”

Arteta refused to name who could replace Aubameyang as the next Arsenal captain, instead choosing to rely on a ‘leadership group’ that will presumably see the armband shared amongst the squad.