Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s criticism, maintaining that his current squad is more “hardworking” than in previous years.
Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona in February, his contract torn up having not been in and around the first-team after Arteta dropped his then-skipper for returning late from an agreed break.
His stay in Spain only lasted seven months before he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea.
Recently, a video of the Gabon forward criticizing Arteta’s managerial abilities surfaced.
“To manage big characters or big players, he (Arteta) can’t deal with it,” Aubameyang said in the video. “He (Arteta) needs some young players, they don’t say anything, they listen.”
Since the footage first circulated, Aubameyang has used social media to explain his remarks.
He wrote in a tweet: “Aware there is a video out that was recorded just after I arrived at Barca. At the time I still had a lot of bad feelings in me.
Aubameyang addresses a video in which he suggests Arteta needs ‘young players who don’t say anything.’ š pic.twitter.com/OZBlFEX6aa
ā ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 10, 2022
“Arsenal are doing great things this season and I wish all my old guys well, just not on 6 November.”
How Did Arteta Respond To Aubameyang?
Arteta was asked about Aubameyang’s comments on the eve of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt.
“People are free to discuss what they want,” he told reporters in Norway. I have never been in a better dressing room (than this season) – more enjoyable, more hard-working.
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“A better relationship between staff and players and it is an absolute pleasure as a coach to be a part of this group.”
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table after beating Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday.
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