Ex-Arsenal star’s words on Mikel Arteta’s setup explain Aubameyang exit

Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s comments on Mikel Arteta being the main reason for his Arsenal exit have been backed up by former star Willian, who claims he was also ‘unhappy’ at the north London club.

Aubameyang left Arsenal for Barcelona on Tuesday having been a mainstay in the Gunners side for four years.

His exit was meant with an element of surprise, but ultimately proved to be a superb financial decision having saved a total of £27million in wages for the rest of Aubameyang’s contract.

Aubameyang spoke of his unhappiness (LINK) under Arteta, with fans berating the sale of their former star.

And comments made by former star Willian appear to back those claims – with the Brazilian claiming he was unhappy at the club.

“I wasn’t happy there, and when you’re not happy in a place, it doesn’t matter how much you try – you’re not going to be able to deliver what people expect of you,” Willian told FourFourTwo.

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“We had a great project and believed that it would work out, but it didn’t, and so I chose to leave and do what was best for me.

“I wasn’t happy, and that’s an important factor in a footballer’s life. When you’re feeling like that, there’s really no way you’re going to perform well, unfortunately.

“There are moments in life when the money isn’t so important and you need to focus on what makes you happy; to look for a place where you have some pleasure working.

“That’s something I didn’t have there, and staying only for the money isn’t something I’m capable of doing – there are many other things that come first for me.

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“I thought to myself that I couldn’t stay just because of a contract – after all, if I did, where would my motivation, my pleasure and my well-being go?

“So that’s what I had in mind. Everybody saw what I left behind in order to pursue my happiness again.”

Arsenal are currently short in the striking department after losing Aubameyang to the Catalonian side.

Only strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah remain at the club, with the pair hardly firing this season.

The Gunners were linked with Dusan Vlahovic over the winter window.

But he turned them down, instead moving to Juventus for £63million on deadline day.

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