Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang axed as Arsenal club captain following disciplinary breach, will not play against West Ham

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 15/12/2021 at 07:42 GMT

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be Arsenal's club captain. The striker was left out of the squad at the weekend to face Southampton after reportedly returning late from an authorised trip abroad earlier in the week. He has lost the captain's armband and will not play against West Ham on Wednesday.

Arsenal have announced that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be the club's captain following a disciplinary breach.

The striker will also not be part of the squad to face West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Aubameyang was dropped by Mikel Arteta for Saturday’s 3-0 win against Southampton after reportedly returning late from an authorised trip abroad earlier in the week.

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A statement from Arsenal said: "Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday's match against West Ham United.

We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.

"We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match."

Aubameyang has a year-and-a-half left on his current deal at the Emirates but has been linked with a move away as Arteta and director Edu look to reshape the squad.

Arteta has taken action against Aubameyang before, dropping him for the north London derby against Tottenham in March due to lateness. He was also reprimanded by Arsenal in February over a possible Covid-19 regulations breach.

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Arteta said after dropping Aubameyang at the weekend that the rules are "non-negotiable".

"He had a disciplinary breach, that applies to everybody. That's a non-negotiable and when that happens he’s out of the team.

"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]."

Alexandre Lacazette was named stand-in captain for the win over Southampton.

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