'I would never': Aubameyang shares what Arteta told him before selling him at Arsenal which still confuses him
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At one stage, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was considered a hero at Arsenal.
Under Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, the Al-Quadsiah striker was a guaranteed goalscorer despite the Gunners’ struggles.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang famously shared the Golden Boot with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in the 2018/2019 Premier League season after scoring 22 goals, despite Arsenal finishing fifth.
However, things quickly soured between the Gabonese international and Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta famously banishing him from training after he returned late from France after going to visit his unwell mother in December 2021.
Mohamed Elneny commented on Aubameyang’s exit by claiming that Arteta does “not allow egos” in the dressing room after the former Gunners captain was promptly sold to Barcelona in January 2022.
Graeme Souness criticised Aubameyang’s attitude as he had previously turned up late for the North London Derby in March 2021 as well.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reveals Mikel Arteta row before Arsenal exit
Aubameyang’s emotional reaction upon returning to Arsenal as a Chelsea player while hearing ‘North London Forever’ being sung at the Emirates Stadium highlighted his love for the club. In an interview with The Athletic, the 35-year-old reflected on his sudden exit from Arsenal.
Aubameyang initially admitted: “My mistake.”
“I should have come back the night before but I arrived in the morning. I didn't tell them that I would miss the flight because I was preoccupied with my mum's stuff [medical examinations].”
Aubameyang went on to reveal Arteta’s angered reaction to his late arrival, saying: “I went directly to a team meeting. Everything was normal. After that, he said, 'Come with me'. This is where he started shouting. He said I could not do this because I was the captain and it was not acceptable.”
"He said I gave him a knife in his back; I don't know why he said that. I was really p—ed off because it was not true and he knew why I flew. He knew the reason and what was happening, he knew I was struggling that year. I was expecting help from him, not killing me like this.”
Aubameyang vows to “never say sorry” to Arteta
Aubameyang revealed that he would never apologise to Arteta about the incident
The veteran said: “When I'm late, it's my fault, no problem. I always said sorry.”
“But in this case, I'll never say sorry. For taking my mum from Laval to London? No. Even if I came a day late, I would never say sorry.”
“You understand or you don’t. If not, don't give a day off or tell people they cannot fly.”
Gabriel Martinelli revealed Aubameyang’s leadership will always stick with him as he made him feel welcome by speaking to him in Spanish when he first signed for Arsenal and could not speak a word of English.
While the star striker’s impact in an Arsenal shirt can never be brushed under the carpet, things went south for him in a way that was a massive shock at the time.
Aubameyang now uses just two words to describe Arteta
Speaking to The Athletic, Aubameyang was asked to use one word to describe several of his coaches and fellow teammates at Arsenal.
On Arteta, Aubameyang simply said: “Too focused” and proceeded to chuckle. Mikel Arteta lauded Aubameyang ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea in November 2022, which highlighted how highly he continued to rate him.
When asked about Arsene Wenger, the former Borussia Dortmund marksman replied: “The master.”
On Bukayo Saka, he said: “Starboy.”
Asked to have his say on The Emirates Stadium, Aubameyang said: “Magic.”
