Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about the dramatic fallout with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a saga that culminated in the striker’s controversial move to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Aubameyang, who initially dazzled for the Gunners after his £56 million move from Borussia Dortmund, saw his Arsenal career take a dramatic downturn after disciplinary issues emerged under Arteta’s reign.
The Gabonese forward, who scored 31 goals in his debut season and shared the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018-19, was stripped of the captaincy in December 2021 before leaving the club two months later.
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The fallout reportedly escalated when Arteta accused Aubameyang of betrayal. Speaking toColinterview, Aubameyang described an emotional confrontation with Arteta after returning from a sanctioned absence for personal reasons.
“He [Arteta] shouts at me like I’m crazy,” Aubameyang recalled. “He says, ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me given the times we’re going through.’ I didn’t go partying; he knew the real reason for my departure, but I didn’t understand the accusations.”
Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang with Mikel Arteta
Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang with Mikel Arteta (Image credit: Getty Images)
The strained relationship led to Aubameyang being left out of key matches and training alone before sealing a move to Barcelona in early 2022. However, in a twist, the striker returned to the Premier League less than a year later, signing for Chelsea in September 2022.
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Arsenal were reportedly angered by Aubameyang’s decision to fly to Spain before his move to Barcelona was finalised, an act seen as an attempt to force through the transfer. Aubameyang defended his actions, emphasising that personal struggles contributed to his decisions during that turbulent period.
“It was a difficult time for me as a man,” Aubameyang said. “I admitted my share of responsibility, but I hoped for more understanding. Instead, I was left to train alone for a month. It was a tough period.”
The split marked a bitter end to Aubameyang’s four-year stint at Arsenal, during which he won an FA Cup and became a key figure for the club.
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