MIKEL ARTETA says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has to start showing respect to his Arsenal team-mates.
The Gunners boss dropped his captain to the bench for a ‘breach of pre-match protocol’ – after the star allegedly turned up late to the derby.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been warned to start respecting his fellow Arsenal starsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Mikel Arteta axed his captain for the North London derby after he arrived late to the EmiratesCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Arteta said: “We have a way of living together. We have to respect each other and that’s it.”
Aubameyang was due to start in the 2-1 win against Spurs, but ended up being left on the bench.
Arteta explained: “He was going to start the game, we had a disciplinary issue, we have drawn the line and we move on.
“We have a process that we have to respect for every game and that’s it.
“It was a decision made after evaluating everything and who Auba is and what he’s done.
“We have other players who can play. Recently we have changed the team quite a lot and there are players who are willing to play and deserve a chance, so I’m comfortable with that.
“I made what I thought was the right decision. We draw a line there. Now let’s move on again.
“We know how important Auba is for us, for the club. That’s it. That’s been dealt with so let’s move on.”
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Aubameyang has a reputation for not being punctual.
Asked whether the star had accepted this latest punishment, Arteta said: “I hope he did, yeah.”
The Spaniard is a stickler for discipline.
He said: “Because for me is the foundation and the platform that we can build something medium and long term that is sustainable. That can bring us joy and happiness.
“Without that, I don’t believe that it would happen. That’s why I keep talking about it and acting on it.”
Auba’s axing has raised doubts over his captaincy.
Arteta added: “We deal with the situation on the day. That’s been done. Now we move on.
“We know how important Auba is to us and he will continue to be really important. That’s it, no more comments.”
Arsenal remain 10th in the Prem table but are now just four points behind Spurs in seventh and 10 away from fourth.
Arteta said: “I think while it’s mathematically possible, we’re going to believe and we’re going to give it a go for sure.
“We know that we have to be extremely consistent to have any chance in the next two or three matches to be very close to them.
“But we’re going to give it a go and keep trying, going game by game.”
Arteta is beaming with pride as he reacts to Arsenal’s victory in the North London derby against Spurs
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
