‘I’ll never say sorry,’ says Aubameyang over Arteta bust-up that was final straw

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has opened up about his infamous clash with Mikel Arteta that ultimately led to his Arsenal exit.

Aubameyang left the Gunners in a shocking free transfer three years ago after being expelled from the first team squad.

He was initially dropped by Arteta at the start of December 2021 but later had his captaincy stripped.

It was revealed the striker had returned late from a trip to France whereby he visited his mum and flew her back to London.

That turned out to be the main catalyst for his winter exit from the club.

However, Aubamyang insists he will never apologise for making the journey to and from France despite the eventual outcome.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, he said: "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).

"I went directly to a team meeting. Everything was normal. After that, he (Arteta) 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**sed 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 continued: "When I’m late, (and) 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 (his hometown in France) 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."

The striker had signed a three-year contract extension with Arsenal just one year prior to his fall-out with Arteta.

However, before putting pen to paper, Aubameyang wanted to LEAVE north London for pastures new.

He said: "I was talking on the bus with Alexandre Lacazette. Every fan was saying, ‘Sign da ting!’.

"Laca asked me, ‘What are you going to do?’ I was like, ‘To tell you the truth, I really don’t know’.

"If I’m being honest, at that time I wanted to go. For me, it was time to find a new challenge. I did my time. It was very nice, but I needed to change.

"It had been four years, I did great and maybe it was time to leave it like this, proper and clean, so people remember me as a good Arsenal player. I felt I needed to go because if I stayed, something would go wrong."

Instead, he decided to extend his stay after being persuaded by Arteta.

But 16 months later he found himself outcast.

Despite his feud with Arteta, Aubameyang received a "great message" from the Arsenal boss when they parted ways.

He continued: "You cannot stay with that negativity," before admitting he will "always love Arsenal" even though he spent a brief spell with rival club Chelsea during the 2022-23 season.

The Gabon international now plays for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.