Aubameyang has ‘slapped Arteta in the face’ amid ‘incredible’ Arsenal update – pundit
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will have to work “incredibly hard” to force his way back into the Arsenal side, according to Danny Mills.
The former England defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 32-year-old has “slapped Mikel Arteta in the face”.
Arsenal revealed via their club website earlier this week (14 December) that Aubameyang has been stripped of the Gunners’ captaincy following a breach of discipline.
In today’s (17 December) pre-match press conference, quoted by Chris Wheatley, Arteta confirmed that the Gabon international will not take part against Leeds on Sunday.
Aubameyang has already missed games against Southampton and West Ham – both of which ended in victory for Arsenal.
Mills claimed the striker has “taken the mickey” out of his manager.
“If he works incredibly hard, knuckles down and shows that he’s incredibly sorry – then there’s a chance of him repairing that damage,” he told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“But it can’t keep happening. It’s an ongoing thing. You could hear it in Arteta’s voice, he was a little bit hurt and disappointed.
“He’s gone out on a limb to give him another chance, and Aubameyang has slapped him in the face.
“That’s what I heard from that press conference. He’s just trying to look after his players and his captain, and Aubameyang has just taken the mickey.
“You have to set an example, and he’s been given plenty of chances.”
Arsenal moved up to fourth place in the Premier League following their 2-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday.
French striker Alexandre Lacazette has taken the armband following Aubameyang’s removal as skipper.
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