Arteta sends his captain into exile
Aubameyang to train alone for rest of year and may go in January
PIERRE-EMERICK Aubameyang has been banished from Arsenal first-team training and will be exiled from Mikel Arteta’s plans until at least the end of 2021.
The striker’s future at the Emirates is looking increasingly bleak following Arteta’s decision to strip him of the club captaincy on Monday, for what Arsenal called his ‘latest disciplinary breach’ after returning late from an agreed trip to France to collect his sick mother.
The 32-year-old has not been involved with the first team at the club’s London Colney HQ this week, casting further doubt over his future in north London.
The striker has been training away from the squad and Arteta confirmed yesterday that
Aubameyang would not be considered for today’s game at Leeds.
It is understood he will not be involved with the first team before he leaves for Africa Cup of Nations duty later this month.
Arteta refused to confirm whether Aubameyang will play for Arsenal before February.
The Arsenal boss said: ‘The situation that I can discuss is about today. Things happened really quickly last week when we unfortunately had to make that decision, and this is where we are standing today.’
A date for Aubameyang’s release for the tournament, which Cameroon host next month, is still to be agreed.
But the forward is keen to leave for international duty as soon as possible. Though his non-involvement at first-team level raises questions over whether there is a way back for him under Arteta.
The Gunners are open to letting Aubameyang go in January and will discuss any offers in next month’s window, but a summer exit is more likely.
That leaves the club facing the tricky task of potentially reintegrating Aubameyang back into the squad when he returns from duty with Gabon.
Much may depend on how Arsenal fare in his absence as to whether Arteta looks to bring his £350,000-per-week striker back into the fold.
l LEEDS have suffered another injury blow ahead of tonight’s visit of Arsenal after centre half Charlie Cresswell dislocated his shoulder in training. The club now have just nine senior players available.