Striker Opens Up About His Departure from Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finally spoken out about the events leading to his departure from Arsenal at the start of 2022. The prolific striker, who scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for the Gunners, left the club following a series of conflicts with head coach Mikel Arteta.
Aubameyang’s exclusion from the squad was often attributed to disciplinary issues. The situation reached a tipping point in December 2021, just before a Premier League match. After missing the game, Aubameyang was stripped of his captaincy and eventually left the club by mutual consent at the end of the winter transfer window.
In a recent interview, Aubameyang suggested that the fallout stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding a personal matter. He recounted an incident where he had sought permission from Arteta to visit his mother, who had suffered a stroke, during the Covid-19 period. According to Aubameyang, Arteta initially approved the request but later reprimanded him harshly for what the coach perceived as a betrayal.
“It was during the Covid period, and we were about to play Everton,” Aubameyang said. “My season wasn’t going great, and the coach told us we’d have a day off regardless of the match result. But he asked us to inform him if we planned to leave the country due to health safety rules.
“My mother had a stroke a few months before, and I wanted to bring her home for the holidays. I told the coach, and he said no problem. He gave me permission and told me to check with the doctor about the Covid rules.”
Aubameyang explained that due to his mother’s medical tests, he returned a day later than planned. Upon his return, Arteta was furious. “He shouted at me like I was crazy, accusing me of betraying him,” Aubameyang recalled. “I hadn’t gone partying; I was with my mother. I didn’t understand his reaction.”
The striker then described how he was sidelined for a month while waiting for a transfer. “The coach didn’t want me with the group anymore. I was training separately, waiting to leave. He took away my captain’s armband and explained that I needed to be an example for the team during tough times. I acknowledged my responsibility but felt misunderstood.”
Aubameyang’s account sheds light on the personal and professional tensions that led to his exit from Arsenal. As he moves on, his story highlights the complexities athletes often face balancing personal matters with professional commitments.
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