Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's agent has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Arsenal in the wake of the club's decision to unceremoniously strip him of his role as captain.
Aubameyang's future at the Emirates is in serious doubt after three disciplinary breaches, the latest of which occurring this week when he returned late from a trip abroad.
Arsenal revealed on Tuesday that the Gabon international is now no longer the club captain, and that he would not be available for selection against West Ham this week.
Responding just minutes later, Aubameyang's agent Kwaku Mensah posted two images of his client holding trophies from his time at Arsenal.
Sportsmail has previously reported that the controversy has amplified pre-existing reservations from figures inside the club's training ground about Aubameyang's position as skipper. Aubameyang has kept the armband during the Arteta era despite the concerns that are held not only by staff, but certain team-mates.
Now, though, Arteta has moved to take the captaincy from one of his star players, and in a statement the club said: '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.'
It is also not the first time Aubameyang's agent has made a dig at the club, moving to defend his player back in December 2020 too.
At the time, Aubameyang was on a barren scoring run and had come in for criticism from his manager, as well as fans and pundits.
In response, Mensah posted a Sky Sports graphic that showed how Arsenal were among the worst in the Premier League for chances created.
Alongside the image, he included the caption: 'If you create chances...'
Last Wednesday, Aubameyang was given permission to go abroad to collect his sick mum and bring her back to England.
The striker even took to Instagram last week thanking fans for offering support. He wrote: 'My mother is going through some health issues and I had to be there for her.
'She's already much better now... I'm more than grateful to the doctors and nurses helping her get through this.'
However, it had been agreed that the striker would return later that evening to ensure he would be ready to train on Thursday. But the striker reportedly flew home on Thursday morning instead and current Covid testing protocols also meant that Aubameyang was unable to return to training until he had produced a negative PCR test.
Arteta benched the forward for the north London derby against Tottenham in March due to lateness, while he was also reprimanded by Arsenal in February over a possible Covid-19 regulations breach.
Aubameyang and Arteta are said to share no more than a 'working' relationship, though the Gunners boss has been at pains to deny any rift with his striker.
uxer
1
I hope they withhold the week's salary as well....
Netto452
0
family first
emondorock
1
Find him another club then, he earns $365,000,000 a week you arsehole
diebikrtuy
0
Hello Arsenal Funs. Please Please stop taking about Aubameyang he his the cause Arsenal a not in Champions league or UEFA. In noff is in noff. Aubameyang stop Crying. Bye Bye
HoseinSJD
0
agent? what is this nobody trying to do, get your client and fock off
BenGud
0
You can’t pay him such much for flimsy excuses.
Kaybcepsy
1
Irresponsible is the word
Mysterial
0
The indiscipline is based on him reporting late from seeing his mother? compassionate leave must be given... making players sad
Fandeklmou
1
the mans mom is sick. show some compassion. on the other hand this could be the reason for his goal drought. for the club had he been scoring those sitters he missed we would be right up there in top 4 then what would the club do?
His mother has been sick since last season I guest. You forget the fact this is business and he is paid to deliver. If he is unable or I do his job he paid for then what do you expect. Auba as captain has had a lot of misconduct which is not acceptable as a leader. This guy is the captain and highest paid player in the club. There are also a lot of young players who look up to him and he should lead by example. It’s clear this is not the first time he had bridged club rules and actions must be taken. No player is bigger than the club.
Zezmp
3
When my family is sick I get sick time to go home and come back to work. He is getting pains to go home n come back to work. Even if this is the case what about the othe times
Buyemoprt
4
the mans mom is sick. show some compassion. on the other hand this could be the reason for his goal drought. for the club had he been scoring those sitters he missed we would be right up there in top 4 then what would the club do?
sweetammad
1
he should return by evening, but instead he return in the morning without informing the club. innocent?
yes at least he should be there at the given time, or he should have informed the officials prior
sweetammad
1
So the club has the wrong information? 😂 Was the article you read written by Arteta himself?
You nor the club may wrong, u r exactly true as a genuine sports lover.
sweetammad
1
he should return by evening, but instead he return in the morning without informing the club. innocent?
Exactly you are right, but here is an argument that the players flights , etc each and everything are well known to the club officials. they have every minute of information so i guess he could have informed the officials about the delay in flight, or any happenings on his way back.
Jiebklnpz
2
bring him to Chelsea so we can replace giroud with him
sadabkrz
1
Aubameyang is use to disrespecting clubs......check his career
Vowblort
0
some ppl just take things for granted. He could still be in Gabon working in some factory or whatever. Instead he's getting paid a lot of money to represent a football club. He should have more respect at the very least.
Alfies_jay
0
he should return by evening, but instead he return in the morning without informing the club. innocent?
Not innocent...
Gunners4ever❤
0
He could have called in to inform the boss...I guess he did not
Maybe
Alfies_jay
1
The club already knew about that and they agreed with Auba to come back at a specific time, but Auba was still late. I won't defend him.
He could have called in to inform the boss...I guess he did not
Alfies_jay
0
How many sitters has Auba missed this season?
I’m still counting...it’s sad, it’s ending like this for him...
leroy01
3
After reading this Article it is learned that Aubameyang is totally Innocent, as he already get Leaves for a reason, and secondly he was late due to Covid precautionary Tests etc.
So the club has the wrong information? 😂 Was the article you read written by Arteta himself?
Humancal44
3
How many sitters has Auba missed this season?
Gunners4ever❤
0
to bench our striker wil not be the best option as we are facing west ham and by the way he is supporting his mother which is sick. We need to under stand that as we human beings
Say no to visitors!
Gunners4ever❤
2
After reading this Article it is learned that Aubameyang is totally Innocent, as he already get Leaves for a reason, and secondly he was late due to Covid precautionary Tests etc.
The club already knew about that and they agreed with Auba to come back at a specific time, but Auba was still late. I won't defend him.
EffLeo
1
After reading this Article it is learned that Aubameyang is totally Innocent, as he already get Leaves for a reason, and secondly he was late due to Covid precautionary Tests etc.
he should return by evening, but instead he return in the morning without informing the club. innocent?
cumackosyz
1
After reading this Article it is learned that Aubameyang is totally Innocent, as he already get Leaves for a reason, and secondly he was late due to Covid precautionary Tests etc.
Fact
sweetammad
6
After reading this Article it is learned that Aubameyang is totally Innocent, as he already get Leaves for a reason, and secondly he was late due to Covid precautionary Tests etc.
Tiuaceiuy
0
to bench our striker wil not be the best option as we are facing west ham and by the way he is supporting his mother which is sick. We need to under stand that as we human beings
yoaciklny
1
Those are just excuses this year how many chances we have created n how many goals did he score even penalties he is struggling to score them
Bibcekors
5
Arteta is a useless coach filled with ego and being pushed around and control by the clueless racist English media like Danny dog Murphy and his likes.
Jigaba
2
this is the third time aubameyang is disrespecting no body is bigger than the club
cemabpruyz
4
I’m not sure that I would sit him a second time but stripp him of the captains armband makes sense. It’s been a few times that he’s been questionable with his decisions. He’s ju not a leader. As far as the agent implying that Arsenal don’t cre enough chances . There’s some truth in that but Auba hasn’t been cashing in on the ones he’s getting.
lord_henry-14
2
Exactly