‘Non-negotiable’ - Mikel Arteta firm after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropped for win over Southampton
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Updated 11/12/2021 at 18:40 GMT
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for the Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday due to a breach of club rules. The home side were 3-0 winners and after the match the Spaniard had no regrets over dropping the striker as a result of his transgression - but would not say what had happened.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was uncompromising as his side beat Southampton 3-0 without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon striker has a year and a half left on his current deal at the Emirates but has been linked with a move away from the Emirates as Arteta and director Edu look to reshape the squad.
Arsenal confirmed the 32-year-old had been dropped due to a disciplinary matter before the clash, although Arteta and the club refused to reveal what had transpired. The Athletic reported that Aubameyang was dropped for returning late from a trip abroad last week.
"He had a disciplinary breach, that applies to everybody. That's a non-negotiable and when that happens he’s out of the team," Arteta told BBC Sport.
"Whatever happens in the dressing room, I cannot share. I am sorry. I’m telling you the reason, I cannot lie, it was that, this is where I stand. From my side, I will never [say what the breach was]."
After struggling for form and a woeful loss against Everton, Arteta was keen to focus on the positives despite the off-pitch furore.
"I’m very pleased. After a difficult period, we had two defeats where I don’t think we deserved to lose the games but we did,” he explained.
"We started the game a little bit nervy, you could tell that we were carrying that feeling still, but we finished strong.
"I am very happy. It’s a contribution from the whole game, what is required in every moment and then the execution and that’s what we’ve been lacking a little bit, because the intention is there, it’s just doing it more consistently.
"You could see that the team wanted to keep attacking, hit the post twice, a goal disallowed."
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