Arsenal chiefs will make Aubameyang ‘demand’ to Arteta after late-night update – pundit
Arsenal chiefs will demand Mikel Arteta reintegrates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang into the first-team squad, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Aubameyang’s mega wages will mean they will not let him sit on the sidelines for an extended period.
The striker has not featured in the last two games after a disciplinary breach last week.
The Gunners released a statement on Tuesday (14 December) confirming he was no longer club captain as a result of the breach.
After the 2-0 win over West Ham last night (15 December), Arteta refused to confirm to BT Sport whether he will be back with the squad for the trip to Leeds United this weekend.
“Something must have happened,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“But that’s Arteta’s choice. As club captain, you can’t be breaking the rules. It’s what is best for the club.
“There is a way back. It happened to [Granit] Xhaka, he lost the armband and came back and played.
“When you’ve got somebody earning what he is earning, the club will demand he is brought back in at some point. With the money, they are paying they will want to use him.
“He’s still one of their best players. I’m sure in due course he will be back involved.”
Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy in October 2019 by former manager Unai Emery after reacting angrily to being substituted.
He was reintegrated by Arteta who took over from Emery just two months later.
In other news, an Arsenal rising ‘has to leave’ after what Per Mertesacker has said publicly.