Aubameyang won’t play for Arsenal again after behind-the-scenes reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted it is “unlikely” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will wear an Arsenal shirt again.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 32-year-old has “shown disrespect” to Mikel Arteta and his Gunners teammates.
Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy by Arteta and Arsenal last week after the striker’s “latest disciplinary breach”.
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein last Friday (17 December), the striker is now training alone at London Colney and will continue to do so until he leaves for the African Cup of Nations in January.
The former Dortmund man is without a goal since 22 October – his longest barren spell since 2014.
When asked about the possibility of the Gabon international coming back into the side, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Look, you never say never.
“But Mikel Arteta is stubborn and a real disciplinarian and Aubameyang simply hasn’t matched up to his expectations.
“He’s shown that disrespect to the players and to the staff – and not for the first time. It seems unlikely he will be coming back from this one and play for Arsenal again.
“Martinelli has really stepped up to the plate and taken his opportunity – and they’re winning football matches at the moment, which makes it hard for a player to be breaking the door down.
“I think Arteta will stick to his guns. He’s set the standard and when players break that trust, it’s going to be very hard to win it back. Martinelli is making that decision a lot easier for him.”
Aubameyang has scored seven Arsenal goals in 15 appearances this term.
The 32-year-old has scored 92 goals in 163 games since signing for the Gunners in January 2018.
In other news, pundit fears Arsenal could lose summer signing after a broadcaster’s update.