December 14, (THEWILL) – Following a disciplinary violation, Arsenal has declared that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be the club’s captain. The striker will also be absent from the squad for Wednesday’s Premier League match against West Ham.
After reportedly arriving late from a permitted trip overseas earlier in the week, Aubameyang was benched by Mikel Arteta for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.
The club released an official statement to this effect that read: “Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.
“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.
“We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”
Aubameyang’s current contract at the Emirates expires in a year and a half, although he has been linked with a move away as Arteta and club Director Edu try to revamp the group.
Arteta has previously taken action against Aubameyang, having benched him for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in March owing to lateness. In February, Arsenal punished him for a probable violation of the COVID-19 restrictions.
After dropping Aubameyang over the weekend, Arteta stated that the rules are “non-negotiable”: “He had a disciplinary breach, that applies to everybody. That’s a non-negotiable and when that happens he’s out of the team.
“Whatever happens in the dressing room, I cannot share. I am sorry. I’m telling you the reason, I cannot lie, it was that, this is where I stand. From my side, I will never [say what the breach was].”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
