Curse of the Arsenal captaincy as Aubameyang is just latest skipper to go AWOL after likes of Van Persie and Fabregas

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has become the latest Arsenal captain to be stripped of the role after another disciplinary breach.

The Gabonese striker was dropped from Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad on Saturday, after returning late from an authorised trip to France.

Arteta was left fuming by Aubameyang’s indiscretion, after the 32-year-old also missed March’s North London derby following a disciplinary issue.

He will not be in contention for selection for tomorrow night’s clash with West Ham.

The forward is by no means the first Gunners skipper to enrage supporters and bosses, however.

In fact, a long line of Arsenal captains have had their issues, since Arsene Wenger appointed William Gallas in 2007.

With the days of stability that Tony Adams’ 14 years as skipper brought long gone, let’s take a look at what some of Aubameyang’s other predecessors got up to at the Emirates.

WILLIAM GALLAS – 2007-2008

The eccentric Frenchman holds the rare distinction of having represented London rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea during his eventful 12-year stint in England.

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His appointment was immediately unpopular – with most fans enraged that club stalwart Gilberto Silva was snubbed for the role by Arsene Wenger.

Gallas was criticised for his leadership during the match with Birmingham City in which Gunners’ striker Eduardo suffered a horrific leg break.

And he was later stripped of the captaincy by Wenger after publicly accusing his team-mates of not being ‘brave enough’ to win trophies.

Gallas’ spell as Arsenal captain was bizarreCredit: PA:Press Association

CESC FABREGAS – 2008-2011

Gallas was succeeded by star midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

There were early questions as to whether the Spaniard possessed the required leadership skills to drag the Gunners to silverware – after all this was a side that had been led with distinction by Patrick Vieira not that long before,

But Fabregas’ performances went from strength to strength, eventually drawing the eye of his boyhood club Barcelona.

Despite Arsenal’s best efforts, Fabregas was desperate to leave the Emirates and even went on STRIKE in order to force the move.

Not quite the actions of a committed leader.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE – 2011-2012

After the ignominy of the way Fabregas had departed, Wenger next turned to Van Persie.

The Dutchman had battled persistent injuries in his early years at the club, but had hit the form of his life after the Frenchman kept faith with him.

After scoring an amazing 30 Premier League goals while wearing the armband – speculation began to swirl surrounding Van Persie’s future, as he only had a year remaining on his contract.

And after it became apparent that he was not going to extend his Gunners stay, Van Persie enraged fans by signing for rivals Manchester United – claiming it was what the ‘little boy’ in him wanted to do.

Arsenal stuck by Van Persie throughout his injury woes… only for him to leave for Man UtdCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

THOMAS VERMAELEN – 2012-2014

At the time, Vermaelen was Arsenal’s best centre-back, so it seemed a no-brainer to hand him the armband.

But perversely the Belgian’s influence began to wane, and he was even dropped by Wenger for that season’s crunch Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Injuries started to play a bigger part in the defender’s woes, and he made just 14 Premier League appearances in his final season at the club.

Having been an unused substitute in the 2014 FA Cup triumph, Vermaelen soon followed Fabregas to Barcelona.

MIKEL ARTETA – 2014-2016

Unlike some on this list, the popular midfield shuttler and current boss was a positive influence and leader on those around him at the Emirates.

The problem, however, was that he just couldn’t stay fit.

The Spaniard featured in just 16 league matches across his two years as captain.

He clearly possessed a good football mind – having impressed enough to forge a career in management.

After retiring, Arteta followed the well-trodden path from the Emirates to the Etihad – learning as Pep Guardiola’s No2 at Man City.

He then returned to the Gunners as manager in 2019, having now stripped Aubameyang of the captaincy himself.

PER MERTESACKER – 2016-2018

The lanky German was another popular figure at the Emirates.

The 2014 World Cup winner maximised every ounce of ability that he had while wearing the cannon on his chest.

Like so many others, though, his body repeatedly let him down in the latter years of his career.

Mertesacker lasted even fewer league games as club captain than Arteta – but returned after a season injured to perform heroically in the 2-1 2017 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea.

He now works for the club’s academy.

The popular German just couldn’t stay fitCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

LAURENT KOSCIELNY – 2018-19

The Frenchman is another whose body had begun to let him down by the time he received the armband.

A nasty Achilles injury had appeared to finish him at the Emirates – but to his credit he showed typical spirit to overcome the problem and return to the side.

But then the veteran shocked fans in the summer of 2019, by refusing to go on the Gunners’ pre season tour of the US in order to force through a move to Bordeaux.

He then added insult to injury when he appeared in an announcement video taking off his Arsenal shirt, to reveal a Bordeaux jersey beneath.

The smirk on his face enraged Arsenal fans at the time – but they have grown used to being let down by those that are supposed to be their leaders.

GRANIT XHAKA – 2019

Granit Xhaka turned on his own fans in October 2019Credit: Reuters

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk