Aubameyang Reveals Heated Exchange with Arteta Led to Arsenal Exit

Former Arsenal Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Reveals Contentious Exchange with Mikel Arteta

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former Arsenal striker who played for the club from 2018 to 2021, appearing in 163 games and scoring 92 goals, has shed light on a heated exchange with his former manager Mikel Arteta, which ultimately led to his departure from the club.

Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy before being transferred to Barcelona in February 2021.

In a recent interview, Aubameyang recounted the incident, stating, "My mother had a stroke a few months prior, and with Christmas approaching, I requested a meeting with the coach to discuss my desire to leave temporarily and bring my mother back for the holidays." He continued, "The coach initially agreed, saying, 'No problem.'"

However, the situation escalated when Arteta confronted Aubameyang after the meeting, saying, "You put a knife in my back. You can't do that to me given the times we're going through." Aubameyang opted not to respond, fearing the conversation would turn confrontational.

Aubameyang's account provides insight into the tense circumstances surrounding his departure from Arsenal, highlighting the strained relationship between the player and his former manager. The incident marked a turning point in Aubameyang's time at the club, ultimately leading to his transfer to Barcelona.

During his time at Arsenal, Aubameyang achieved several notable milestones, including scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 win against Leeds, becoming the third player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick on Valentine's Day, and reaching the 200-goal mark across Europe's top five leagues.