ARSENAL’s stars haven’t ALL taken to the new regime.
Since Mikel Arteta’s appointment back in December 2019, some have fallen foul of the Spaniard’s iron fist.
Although he’s fair, the former Gunners captain doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
And though many of his talented squad are rightfully behind him, some haven’t toed the line when its come to the ex-Manchester City assistant’s high-standards of professionalism.
Take Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s punctuality, for example, after he was reportedly late turning up for the North London derby.
The Gabon striker was dropped from the starting line-up and fined for tardiness.
And he’s not the only first teamer who has been given a telling off.
GRANIT XHAKA
Swiss international Xhaka seems to have more lives at Arsenal than a cat.
Famously, he was on the brink of leaving the club during Unai Emery’s reign when he reacted badly to fans hurling abuse at him after a poor performance against Crystal Palace.
But credit where credit’s due, he turned it around and has played better under Arteta.
However, back in January after a daft red card against Burnley the boss said Xhaka had “overstepped the line”.
“He’s made a mistake, clearly, that has cost us,” Arteta added.
MESUT OZIL
Love him or hate him, Arteta made his feelings clear on German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil when he omitted him from his Premier League AND Europa League squads.
Reports in the summer suggested Arteta was unhappy with Ozil’s application in training, and when trying to change the team’s style of play he didn’t see the playmaker as part of his plans.
Ozil, to his credit, came out fighting – insisting he wanted to stay and fight for his place in the side – with six months left on his £350,000-per-week contract.
However, in January he finally left North London and joined Fenerbahce.
So far he has struggled for form in Turkey, and recently got injured.
MATTEO GUENDOUZI
Another impressive talent, Guendouzi burst onto the scene last season and became an Arsenal favourite with some impressive displays – landing a Golden Boy nomination.
The promising Frenchman appeared a bargain buy at just £8million, but his temperament was called into question with Arteta the moment he took over the reigns from Unai Emery.
A fight with a team-mate, thought to be Sokratis, at a Dubai training camp set the tone and Arteta reportedly blamed him for the exchange.
Technical director Edu also had to remind the midfielder of his responsibilities at a media event for going topless in the Middle East.
The final straw came in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in June, a game Guendouzi clashed with Neal Maupay.
Guendouzi is alleged to have boasted about his wages, and at the beginning of this season was shipped out on loan to Hertha Berlin.
NICOLAS PEPE
Much is expected of the Ivorian winger, who has struggled at the Emirates since his £72million move from Lille.
But boss Arteta has always stood by his man, challenging him to repeat his Europa League form in the Premier League.
However, his patience was tested when Pepe let his team mates down by getting sent off against Leeds at Elland Road for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski.
The Gunners were lucky to hold on for a point, and after the game Arteta slammed Pepe for his “unacceptable” behaviour.
Arteta concluded: “I really like the personality of the team. When Pepe let the team down, how we suffered together and stuck to what we had to do.”
WILLIAM SALIBA
When Arsenal signed William Saliba from Saint-Etienne for £27m in July 2019, many Gunners fans would’ve expected the 19-year-old to have played some Premier League minutes by now.
But it hasn’t worked out that way, with the Frenchman left frustrated by a lack of first team opportunities, as well as injuries hampering his progress.
It’s Arteta’s belief that Saliba needs a “transition” year before he is acclimatised to his North London surroundings.
Arteta also revealed he was “fed up” with Saliba’s situation, with the France U21 international desperate to go on loan, but no agreements being made.
Saliba recently said he felt “locked up” at Arsenal on Instagram, having only appeared for the U21 side this season.
Stocked up at centre half, the defender recently joined Nice on loan for the remainder of the season.
And he’s enjoyed an upturn in fortunes, suggesting he will come back to Arsenal fully fit for next season.
LUCAS TORREIRA
The Uruguayan midfielder was signed from Sampdoria in Serie A with high expectations.
But Torreira, 24, failed to settle and show his best form for the club.
So in the summer, after he was frozen out by Arteta, Torreira was sent on loan to Atletico Madrid.
With no option for a permanent deal, the door has been left open for the midfielder’s return to the club. And recent reports suggest that could come sooner than expected.
But as Torreira’s dad revealed, Arteta would have to love his son again on the pitch.
“Lucas has a huge heart and puts a lot of effort into everything he does,” Ricardo Torreira told Madrid publication Libertad Digital.
“That’s why he’s not one of the players who likes to be on the bench waiting for minutes.
“He needs to show what he can give on the pitch. He’s encouraged with the game. And that happened at Arsenal.
“Lucas is honest and wants to leave his soul on the pitch, but that is defined by the coaches and for the current Arsenal manager he didn’t count.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
