FORMER Arsenal hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has claimed Mikel Arteta accused him of putting “a knife in my back”.
The striker, 34, has revealed the “crazy” situation which sparked his Gunners exit two years ago and the toxic fallout with boss Arteta.
Auba was stripped of the captaincy in December 2021 after returning late from a trip to France.
It was an authorised trip to care for his unwell mum but Covid protocols delayed him by 24 hours and he missed training.
Angry Arteta told the Gabon legend to train alone and axed him from the squad for the next game against Southampton.
Auba claimed: “I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting, and then he grabs me and completely tears into me. He shouts at me like I’m crazy.
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“He says, ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me, given the times we’re going through’.
“At that moment, I tell myself I’m not going to answer him as it’s going to end angrily. I didn’t go partying. He knows very well the reason for my departure, so at that moment I don’t understand why he’s lecturing me.
“I go home and the doctor calls and says, ‘Tomorrow, the coach doesn’t want you there’.
“Days pass and the doctor tells me, ‘Look, he doesn’t want you with the group anymore. You will be able to come and train but separately’.
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“I say to myself OK and then he calls me and we have a meeting so he can explain to me that one, he’s taking away the captain’s armband, and two, I’m not training any more with the group.”
Aubameyang is now at French giants Marseille and revealed he would never play for Arsenal again.
It was one of many disciplinary breaches, including multiple accounts of lateness.
In March 2021, Aubameyang was left on the bench for being late to a team meeting ahead of a derby at Spurs.
Once the January transfer window opened, Arsenal were desperate to get rid of him and he was locked in talks over a move to Barcelona.
That potential switch took a sudden turn when Auba was spotted in the Spanish city despite Arsenal not knowing he was there.
In the Gunners’ Amazon series All or Nothing, a clip showed club chief Edu being told he was in Barcelona.
Aubameyang on his drinking
Aubameyang has revealed that he turned to drinking during his Arsenal exit,
Reflecting on the end of his time at the club, Aubameyang said: “I’m sure I was depressed.
“There are attitudes that are seriously different from your daily life.
“For example, I started drinking a lot. It was a difficult passage. It started a little before I was fired from Arsenal.
“So yes, it was depression, I think that personally it was related to the state of health of my parents. It affects a man, it was difficult.
“How to get out? Often we say that we have to talk about it, there’s no shame in that.”
Fellow director Richard Garlick asks Edu: “What is he supposed to be doing now?”, and Edu replies: “Training.”
Auba eventually got his move to Barca in February 2022 after Arsenal ripped up his contract, allowing him to sign on a free transfer.
But he revealed he suffered from mental health issues and turned to alcohol after his exit.
Auba said: “I’m sure I was depressed. There are attitudes that are seriously different from your daily life.
“For example, I started drinking a lot. It was a difficult passage. It started a little before I was fired from Arsenal.
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“So yes, it was depression. I think it was related to the state of health of my parents. It affects a man — it was difficult.
“How to get out? Often we say that we have to talk about it and there’s no shame in that.”
SunSport’s verdict on Arsenal stars
Mikel Arteta is looking to get Arsenal ready to beat Man City to the title after another near miss, but he may need to be brutal with his squad in order to do so. Here’s SunSport’s verdict on who should stay and who should go.
David Raya – STAY: Initial doubts arose when he replaced Aaron Ramsdale, but he has since proven himself to be a world-class keeper with all the attributes needed for Arteta’s way of playing.
Aaron Ramsdale – GO: Unfortunate to be cast aside for Raya, but is now looking for a move to become a regular No.1 elsewhere, especially with his aspirations of one day starting in goal for England.
Karl Hein – STAY: Unlikely to take Ramsdale’s spot as No.2 should the Englishman depart – but the club cannot afford to lose two keepers in one window.
William Saliba – STAY: Saliba is of the best young defenders in the world right now, Arteta should be building his team around him. A vital part of the side’s spine that conceded just 29 Prem goals this term.
Ben White – STAY: Another solid member of Arteta’s impressive back four. Has the flexibility to play on the right or as a central defender, but has made right-back his own this term.
Gabriel – STAY: Was on the outskirts at the start of the campaign but forced his way back in and has forged an almighty partnership with Saliba in the middle of the defence. One of Arteta’s most important signings.
Jurrien Timber – STAY: Yet to see the best of the Dutchman after an injury-hit season, but Arteta views him as a game-changing full-back.
Jakub Kiwior – STAY: The Polish international has struggled to break up the duo of Saliba and Gabriel but has impressed when called upon, especially in a stint at left-back.
Cedric – GO: Leaving the club with his contract expiring. Never really convinced Arteta he could be relied upon and spent most of the season warming the bench.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – STAY: Another flexible and reliable figure that Arteta adores. Can play centre-back or right-back and is a real presence at set-pieces.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – GO: With Timber in line to be Arteta’s first choice at left-back, it is hard to see the Ukrainian starting many games for Arsenal next season. A good signing at £35m but has shown himself to be limited defensively.
Thomas Partey – GO: Injury prone and has looked leggy when finally back from his thigh issues that kept him out from October until March. Contract is up next summer.
Martin Odegaard – STAY: Captain fantastic. A real leader amongst men at such a young age. The 25-year-old is on course to lift the Prem at Arsenal sooner rather than later.
Emile Smith Rowe – STAY: Sidelined for most of the term and struggled to make an impact when called upon, but Arteta still sees something in him. A decent squad option but you get the feeling he is running out of time to prove to the club he is a player worth sticking with.
Jorginho – STAY: Arteta’s experienced general who, more often than not, has Arsenal playing better with him in the team.
Fabio Vieira – GO: Perhaps harsh to judge him based on just 16 appearances in all competitions this season but still looks out of place in English football. A loan move could help.
Mohamed Elneny – GO: Another player departing with his contract expiring. The right call by both parties. A good servant from the Arsene Wenger days.
Kai Havertz – STAY: Seems a bargain now at £65m from Chelsea following his barnstorming end to the season. Arteta bought him as a midfielder, yet now leads the line as a first-choice No.9.
Declan Rice – STAY: Arsenal’s most important and influential signing in years. Enough said.
Bukayo Saka – STAY: An undroppable superstar for club and country right now. Will undoubtedly get even better in seasons to come.
Gabriel Jesus – STAY: Fighting for a starting spot but right now but would be foolish to let him go given how much he can impact games and his winning mentality inside the group.
Gabriel Martinelli – STAY: A dip in form this term but Arteta has huge faith in him. The added competition with Leandro Trossard will only make him better.
Eddie Nketiah – GO: Career is at a crossroads right now and he needs to leave to turn that around. His six-figure wages could put Premier League suitors off.
Leandro Trossard – STAY: Can bring his qualities as a starter or from the bench – a brilliant option to have when you are going for a title.
Reiss Nelson – GO: Arteta has often spoken of Nelson’s potential and likes having him around the squad, but his impact has withered over the past 12 months.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
