Arteta’s dismissive response to Redknapp’s criticism of Aubameyang

Mikel Arteta has brushed off comments from Jamie Redknapp who suggested that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was passed his best.

The Arsenal striker has been unable to replicate the levels we've seen in recent years this season.

He scored a hat-trick in the recent win over Leeds to underline his quality in what has been a hot and cold year.

Aubameyang has been Arsenal's leading light since arriving in January 2018.

He has scored 60 times in the past two seasons which saw the Gunners reward him with a lucrative new deal in the summer.

This term though he has scored just 11 times, but Arteta insists his focus is on supporting his striker.

"I don’t know I didn’t see those comments I heard about them," he said when quizzed on Redknapp's comments.

"I'm here to support every single player in the squad in the squad and all the time give them the best possible advice.

"Play them in their qualities and when they have difficult stay right behind them. That’s what we’ve tried with Auba."

The 31-year-old endured a poor spell midway through the campaign in which he scored one league goal in over two months.

It coincided with a wretched set of results for the Gunners as they slid down the table.

But Arteta maintains Aubameyang will always be judged on his goal tally and urged him to do his talking on the pitch.

"I think the best way to talk is always is on the pitch," he added.

"Seven days before when he scored a hat-trick, and he could have scored four or five, against Leeds he was again the main man.

"He could have scored another hat-trick against Benfica with his qualities and it would have been different.

"At the end it’s about putting the ball in the back of the net for him and that’s how he gets judged."