Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang DROPPED by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang DROPPED by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for ‘disciplinary reasons’… with striker among substitutes in north London derby with Tottenham
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been cut from the starting XI to play Spurs
- Mikel Arteta says Aubameyang was dropped because of ‘disciplinary reasons’
- Lacazette will lead the Gunners out while Aubameyang will sit on the bench
- The captain is one of three changes for Arsenal ahead of the North London derby
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dropped for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to ‘disciplinary reasons’.
Mike Arteta has said that Alexandre Lacazette will lead the Gunners out at The Emirates while Aubameyang occupies the bench.
Arteta did not elaborate on the reasons behind his decision but did admit the Gabon international was initially due to start.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Arsenal’s starting XI against Tottenham
Speaking ahead of the north London derby, Arteta confirmed that Aubameyang had been dropped to the bench as a punishment but refused to disclose the details as to why.
He said: ‘He [Aubameyang] was going to start the game but we have disciplinary issue. We had drawn the line and we move on, so he is on the bench.’
When pressed on why Aubameyang had been dropped, Arteta said: We keep that internally. We have a process we have to respect and that’s it.
‘It is a decision I made after evaluating everything and what he has done and that’s it.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Aubameyang was dropped because of ‘disciplinary reasons’
Arteta say he is ‘comfortable’ playing other players despite Aubameyang’s recent form
The Arsenal manager did, however, say he was ‘comfortable’ giving other players the opportunity to step up despite Aubameyang’s recent form.
The 31-year-old has been on fine form as of late – scoring twice against Benfica in the last 32 of the Europa League and having found the net four times in his previous three Premier League starts.
Arteta said: ‘We have got other players that we play and we have had to change the team recently quite a lot and there are a number of players who are willing to play. So we are going to give them the chance and I am comfortable with that.’
Jamie Redknapp says Aubameyang will be ‘disappointed’ with the decision but believes he will do his best to ‘make amends’.
Redknapp said: ‘He wants to play in this game obviously. He’ll be disappointed. I agree with the guys it’s difficult to speculate we don’t know but the manager has flexed his muscles.
‘It can’t be rules for some and different rules for others. He feels that he shouldn’t play him in this game.
Jamie Redknapp says Aubameyang will be ‘disappointed’ and look to ‘make amends’
‘But what it does is give a chance to others to whoever has been brought in as a replacement. Drawing a line under it he’s on the bench, he’ll probably be the sort of character that is desperate to come on and make amends.’
While Ljungberg believes the change will ‘upset’ the team ahead of their north London derby.
Ljungberg said: ‘It’s a weird one, it upsets your team a little bit but listening the only thing I can think about is maybe he’s been late or something. Because to still keep him on the bench it can’t be that bad. Of course it upsets the players.’
Aubameyang is one of three changes for Arsenal as Cedric, Smith Rowe, Lacazette come into the squad, while Mourinho has made a total of six changes to the side who won 2-0 in the week.
Matt Doherty, Toby Alderweireld, Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Gareth Bale have all been brought into the Tottenham side.
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