For the second time in his Arsenal career, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in the dog house with Mikel Arteta. Apparently he missed training on Friday, and obviously, he wasn’t at the match on Saturday. The boss gave this reason for Auba’s absence, “Unfortunately due to a disciplinary breach. I think we have been very consistent that we have certain non-negotiables in the team that we have set ourselves as a club, and he’s not involved today.” That’s all we got.
So, without the team’s captain available, the Gunners began with a slow start on Saturday v Southampton but then exploded for a 3-0 win over the Saints. Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel all contributed to the scoring, plus, two other shots hit the woodwork, keeping Arsenal from an even more impressive score line. It was a game the Gunners needed to win, and for now, they are in 6th place in the league table. Next up, West Ham United on Wednesday in a huge London Derby.
But what about Aubameyang? The Gabonese international made a very brief appearance at the end of the Everton match last Monday after being benched for his lack of goal scoring productivity. On the bench he looked depressed, dejected, and otherwise disinterested. These are not necessarily the qualities you expect from your captain, no matter his current status with the manager.
So, putting two and two together, I would venture a “guess” that Aubameyang skipped training on Friday, and was subsequently put on “double secret probation” by Arteta.
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood gave his opinion to Sky Sports, “I think the manager is under huge pressure, but what he can’t suffer is players throwing the toys out the pram and thinking because I’m sitting on the bench at Everton I can do whatever I want and not curb with the rest of the players. I think it’s an absolute disgrace.’
Former player, manager and current pundit Chris Sutton said, “Aubameyang’s Arsenal career looks over under Mikel Arteta, and should be stripped of his captaincy.”
Arteta and Arsenal can not afford this off field drama. As we have witnessed in the past with the Mesut Ozil chaos, these situations tend to divide a locker room. When your club is hoping for a top four finish at the end of the season, this type of BS can not happen during this extremely important run of matches in December.
Aubameyang is the highest paid Arsenal player and making more money in a week than most people see after years of hard work. In my opinion, if he is struggling on the pitch, he needs to step up in training, prove his worth as a captain and as player, and re-earn the trust of his manager, teammates and supporters. That’s what a professional should do. He should not be pouting on the bench, skipping training and causing this crap off the field.
Now, I don’t know the whole story, but what we can surmise doesn’t look good for the Arsenal captain. If he isn’t at fault here, I’ll be the first to apologize and eat crow.
I am a huge fan of Aubameyang. I think he has done wonderful things for this club. He seems to be a really good guy, and full of life. However, this episode needs to come to a climax now. Arteta and Aubameyang need to put their cards on the table, sit down face-to-face, and hammer out a resolution – immediately. Otherwise, this drama will continue on and off the pitch, and will be very unhealthy for this squad. We have a talented group of young players who need strong, senior leadership, and a captain who leads them by example.
Wednesday will be a huge test for our lads, so Arteta and Auba need to decide if he’s in, or if he’s out.
Gunner1953
Gabriel Jesus has been assessed and it has been confirmed the striker has a left knee ACL injury that will require surgery. 
David Ornstein is reporting Arsenal will be unlikely to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
According to World of Arsenal, the Gunners are expected to sign Real Sociedad Martin Zubimendi at the end of this season for around $61.2-million (USD).
As much as I love Auba , In football tough decisions have to be made,and I think at 32 he’s losing his edge and needs to be sold in January along with Nketiah and Lacca if he won’t sign new contract
These days playing Aubameyang feels like Arsenal down to ten men. He not contributing to the squad, except if he scores. Aubameyang is a poacher that has lost his pace and is totally ineffective. He was never a dribbler nor a creator, as his strengths were always his speed and finishing and he has lost both. Now,with this new round of his ill discipline, it’s time to get rid of Aubameyang. In the January transfer window Arsenal must sell Aubameyang, Nketiah and Lacazette and buy a young quality striker like Karim Adeyemi, Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak ,Jonathan David or Darwin Nunez. Dominic Calvert- Lewin and Ollie Watkins should be considered if available. Arsenal should also sell Kolasinac, Torriera, Guendouzi, Mari, Elneny and Chambers in January. Adding an attacking midfielder that scores goals and provides assist like Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku or Noa Lang would really enhance the chances of making the top four.
Auba got binned before and came back next game firing on all cylinders. This time it’s up to Arteta to manage the situation. Arteta can be very arrogant, he needs to work this out as a human not as a pitbull.
Yes we need to sell him at season end. We need new quality striker in January and another at end of season.
We should not be buying a striker over 25years old, we should not take older rejects from other clubs.
January transfer is only two weeks away, we should have already sealed someone. But knowing Arsenal we won’t buy one till end of January.