MIKEL ARTETA is standing by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is ‘proud’ of Arsenal’s response to losing at Tottenham.
Gunners skipper Auba has not scored a Prem goal from open play since their season opener and is rested for tonight’s Europa League dead rubber at Dundalk.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has an ‘energy and hunger’ of someone set to rediscover his best form, says Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Gunners believe Hector Bellerin’s throw-ins have been ‘harshly’ penalised and have sent ‘worse incidents’ to the FACredit: Getty – Pool
Boss Arteta said: “No one’s undroppable but we can’t forget what Auba has done in recent months and not just years ago.
“I see how he trains, behaves and how he wants to turn this situation around.
“He has an energy you wouldn’t usually associate with a player who is suffering and when I see that type of hunger I stay strong in my support of that player.
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“We’re not getting the league results we expect so of course pressure’s increasing.
“We played much better against Spurs than we did when we beat Manchester United but you can’t talk about that when you’ve lost the derby 2-0.
“I could not be any prouder of the response from the players this week.
“I have seen a team that is united, wants to fight and has a big belief in what we are trying to do.
“They all want to push each other and Auba’s been one of the main guys there.”
Arteta defended full-back Hector Bellerin after a FIFTH foul throw of the season.
The Gunners boss said: “It was harsh and we sent images to the Premier League of many incidents much worse.
“We will keep working with Hector and make sure he does the action properly.”
ARSENAL (likely): Runarsson, Cedric, Chambers, Mari, Kolasinac, Cottrell, Elneny, Azeez, Pepe, Balogun, Smith Rowe.
Dundalk vs Arsenal free live stream, TV Channel and kick off time for Europa League match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
