Premier League icons slam Arteta’s Aubameyang decision in Arsenal loss

The Gunners fell to defeat at the hands of Manchester United but remain in fifth place in the Premier League table.

Premier League legends Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer have questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Arsenal manager replaced the Gabon international with Alexandre Lacazette 11 minutes from time in Thursday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Overall, Aubameyang had a relatively quiet game. The skipper was rarely involved in the match and failed to score again, extending his goal drought to five Premier League outings.

That said, Henry still cannot understand why Arteta would replace him so late in the game.

Thierry Henry: “One thing I couldn’t understand is Aubameyang is your captain, he is your goalscorer, 15 minutes to go, you are losing 3-2 & you take him off. You take your captain, your symbol, off the field & you know he can score you goals, so something is not right.” #afc pic.twitter.com/svLoqZG0bG

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) December 3, 2021

“One thing I couldn’t understand is, Aubameyang is your captain, he is your goalscorer, you put him as a captain,” Arsenal’s record goalscorer said on Amazon Prime.

“Fifteen minutes to go, you are losing 3-2, and you take him off. 3-2, away from home, and you take your captain, your symbol, off the field, and you know he can score you goals. So something is not right there.

“[Arteta] has all the right in the world to take him off but if I’m captain, I’ll be going on the bench I’m not playing well but that shows ‘do they still trust me?’”

Former Newcastle striker Shearer added: “He [Aubameyang] hasn’t scored in a while and didn’t look like scoring tonight but having said that I totally agree with what Thierry is saying.

“He’s your go-to guy, skipper, in desperate need of a goal. Think that tells you all’s not well if the manager’s dragging him off with 15 minutes to go.”