Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s latest disciplinary breach has compounded long-standing concerns about his suitability as club captain from senior coaching staff.
The forward was axed from the squad that recorded a convincing 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday after reporting back for club duty late from an approved trip abroad last week; manager Mikel Arteta confirming before kick-off the decision was due to a ‘disciplinary' issue.
And Sportsmail has learned the controversy has amplified pre-existing reservations from figures inside the club’s training ground about Aubameyang’s position as skipper.
Having originally been appointed as captain during Unai Emery’s reign, Aubameyang has kept the armband during the Arteta era despite the concerns that are held not only by staff, but certain team-mates.
There is an understanding that any move to strip the 32-year-old of the armband could cause major disruption within the squad, particularly given Aubameyang’s influence in the dressing room.
But Aubameyang’s latest issue will only serve to bolster the unease over the striker’s position as team figurehead given his already lengthy crime sheet.
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 was at pains to deny any rift with his star striker.
Yet, well-placed sources claim the pair have not seen eye-to-eye on certain issues since Arteta’s appointment nearly two years ago.
The striker still has 18 months to run on his current £350,000-per-week contract - and his future is likely to become an issue at the end of the season.
Husdelmtz
0
all this talk about Auba should strippers of his captaincy is total rubbish. No one knows why he left to go overseas so suddenly. he has family outside of football. and its simple. sometimes you have to leave work to attend family issues. just like his mother got sick the last time. its just being part of a human. so before judging and talking crap. find out why he had to do it. he's not only have a responsibility of leading a football club but also has a responsibility of being there for his family. that why I will show him love whether he is being hated or not. Auba is our Captain.
Some people don’t even think before say something that you know millions of people we seen it
abulas
0
once the contact is sign. he doesn't collect. its an obligation. how many other players don't play. did they collect wage?
once the contract is signed their shouldn't be any excuses, because the contract is base on playing week in week out.
sisikmop
1
i wounder why all arsenal captains end up enemies with coaches and the club 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒
Cyrus7
1
Being Arsenal captain is a bad omen now
Fistonshurmugabo
0
Give the Armband to Lacazette, he will kill for the badge. And Granit Xhaka if Lacazette leaves after the end of the season.
law4jesus
0
some people are so funny, pls come and give me an answer especially this united fans, if Ozil was v great and disciplined was he not supposed to b playing in a top team now? arsernal lacked this decisiveness some years back when wenger was betting them and arteta is doing great,auba had family issues and they gave him time to resolve it, but how can a captain bridge rules so many times?
SawHotz
0
Pierre Arsenal and the fcking board and that shithead Arteta will ruin your life like they did to Mesut
Just like Klopp ruined Klavan's life
Jotlotuy
0
Family before anything
which family. no thing like family in business
Jotlotuy
0
I think the prob aubameyang have is that, even been late to training or not, his performance for the last 3match is very bad.. u can't be having one on one in last 3 match and losing it and now expecting arteta to be happy with you. I think it can't work
thank you
Jotlotuy
0
first it was ozil now auba
no time for on serous players
Badhur
0
Pierre Arsenal and the fcking board and that shithead Arteta will ruin your life like they did to Mesut
Foolmrstuz
0
Was he banned from talking to anyone? Did you read what you wrote and did it make sense to you?
of course. I wrote it. don't you understand?
Foolmrstuz
0
didn't he collect wages
once the contact is sign. he doesn't collect. its an obligation. how many other players don't play. did they collect wage?
Mapbimstu
0
this guy satisfy he don't care about arsenal
abulas
0
all this talk about Auba should strippers of his captaincy is total rubbish. No one knows why he left to go overseas so suddenly. he has family outside of football. and its simple. sometimes you have to leave work to attend family issues. just like his mother got sick the last time. its just being part of a human. so before judging and talking crap. find out why he had to do it. he's not only have a responsibility of leading a football club but also has a responsibility of being there for his family. that why I will show him love whether he is being hated or not. Auba is our Captain.
didn't he collect wages
repbilry
0
first it was ozil now auba
rizaiknrsy
1
fine face
NanaGems
0
all this talk about Auba should strippers of his captaincy is total rubbish. No one knows why he left to go overseas so suddenly. he has family outside of football. and its simple. sometimes you have to leave work to attend family issues. just like his mother got sick the last time. its just being part of a human. so before judging and talking crap. find out why he had to do it. he's not only have a responsibility of leading a football club but also has a responsibility of being there for his family. that why I will show him love whether he is being hated or not. Auba is our Captain.
Was he banned from talking to anyone? Did you read what you wrote and did it make sense to you?
NanaGems
0
Is he still a striker? Thought he is a coaching staff now. Strikers score goals and he doesn't. He shd be stripped off the captaincy asap
Foolmrstuz
4
all this talk about Auba should strippers of his captaincy is total rubbish. No one knows why he left to go overseas so suddenly. he has family outside of football. and its simple. sometimes you have to leave work to attend family issues. just like his mother got sick the last time. its just being part of a human. so before judging and talking crap. find out why he had to do it. he's not only have a responsibility of leading a football club but also has a responsibility of being there for his family. that why I will show him love whether he is being hated or not. Auba is our Captain.
Tjake
0
No worries.. El capitan [Crylaugh]
KHMMURU07
1
He was selected as a leader of gunners and should have honoured to have worn an arm band of such a club that has a proud rich heritage of legends in it sadly he hasn't taken the best of it pride .
Makaveli1989
0
I think the prob aubameyang have is that, even been late to training or not, his performance for the last 3match is very bad.. u can't be having one on one in last 3 match and losing it and now expecting arteta to be happy with you. I think it can't work
not even one on one alone, even penalties also... he need to focus more on pitch...
Hibdikmryz
0
I don't understand why arsenal have captaincy issues why?
fashomoiyaagba
0
I think the prob aubameyang have is that, even been late to training or not, his performance for the last 3match is very bad.. u can't be having one on one in last 3 match and losing it and now expecting arteta to be happy with you. I think it can't work
adewale1169
1
Let me look well. Is like this arsenal armbands captain is cursed. Remember Fabrigas before been captain and after, Van persie before and after, Thomas V before and after, ozil before and after, now Aubamuyang?
Haskmpty
4
Happiness from home gives you joy outside. ln Africa we value family wellness, it of no use for PEA playing soccer when his mother on sick bed. Let him take of his parents. PEA retain the Captain band.
Kekbdeor
6
Family before anything