Arteta denies rift with Auba and blasts ‘humiliation’ jibe

MIKEL ARTETA has slammed talk there is a problem between himself and skipper Pierre-emerick Aubameyang.

The Arsenal boss hooked the misfiring Gabon striker (left) with 15 minutes left at Manchester United.

Given the visitors were 3-2 down at the time, the substitution raised more than a few eyebrows.

Gunners legend Thierry Henry was particularly vocal post-match on the matter – as was fellow Amazon Prime pundit Alan Shearer.

Both questioned the Spaniard’s call to remove his leader and the most prolific goalscorer at the club. But ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Everton, Arteta dismissed any suggestion there is trouble inside the Emirates camp.

Asked if there is a rift with the ex-borussia Dortmund ace, Arsenal chief Arteta said: “I can guarantee you that there is not one. You have to respect their opinions but, what I can tell you is, I have the relationship I want with him.

“When I make decisions with 15, 20, 30 minutes left, or in the line-up at the start, it is done with one intention – to get the best out of the team.”

Shearer felt it must have been a humiliation for Aubameyang to be subbed, when his team needed to hit the net. But Arteta said: “That is the last word I would use with my players.

“Because if that’s a humiliation, imagine what it is like for the ones I left out of the team!“

Aubameyang travels to Goodison Park in the midst of a five-match goalless drought. But Arteta added: “You’re always concerned when your main striker is not scoring, but he’s trying his hardest, and is aware how much we need him in the team to score the goals.

“At the moment, they are not coming, but the rest of the things we ask him to do, he is – and he’s always trying to do his best.”