Why was Aubameyang dropped by Arsenal- The huge downfall of the African star
Arsenal announced through a statement on the 15th of December that Gabonese international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would no longer be serving as the captain of the football club following a disciplinary breach. Here at Alley Sport, we answer the question on everyone’s minds right now: Why was Aubameyang dropped by Arsenal? and look at the downfall of this once highly regarded African striker.
The story of Aubameyang at Arsenal: Why was Aubameyang dropped by Arsenal?
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth over $70 million, it was a sight of unparalleled joy for the Gunners fans. For many in London, the Gabonese attacker was like ray of sunshine, as the London Reds had been looking for a lethal finisher since long. The fans were expectant, for finally they thought they would see someone that had the same aura as Robin van Persie, in Arsene Wenger’s penultimate season.
Aubameyang’s start at the club was fulfilling and brimming with hope. Already having banged in 10 goals in his 12 games since moving in January 2018, the striker netted 22 goals in both of his first two full Premier League campaigns. Arsenal’s misfortunes that started with Wenger’s departure, saw only one little sapling of hope that carried the team. That was the Gabonese striker’s impeccable consistency in front of goal, being rewarded with the responsibility of captain of Arsenal Football Club. So, what went wrong after?
The beginning of the fall: Why was Aubameyang dropped by Arsenal?
However, after enjoying a brief success under Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang’s run has gone pale, at least for a good season and a half now. A lot can be blamed on him stalling for a bumper contract after their FA Cup triumph, as he made the Arsenal board sweat over his contract. Eventually, he was offered all he demanded, a monstrous £350,000-a-week contract to stay as the Gunners’ captain. However, that seemed to have taken all the motivation out of his previously soaring game, and in addition to his on-field struggles, off-field disciplinary issues started engulfing the 32-year-old’s Arsenal career.
It was not the first time disciplinary issues had plagued the Gabonese. He was also reportedly suspended in November 2016 after taking a trip to Milan without approval from then-coach Thomas Tuchel, and in November 2018 German outlet Bild reported that he was late for training on more than one occasion. Also, just before his transfer to Arsenal, Aubameyang was suspended and fined by Dortmund for missing a team meeting after training. The signs were there, and so it finally happened at Arsenal as feared.
The culmination and future: Why was Aubameyang dropped by Arsenal?
With a major disciplinary breach cited as the reason for the decision, Arsenal announced the decision that Aubayemang would no longer be serving as Arsenal captain and had been indefinitely left out of the squad, on December 14. The Gabon international was already previously dropped by Arteta for a Premier League meeting with Southampton (December 11) and then again against West Ham (December 15), before being also dropped for the visit to Leeds this weekend.
The London club has been incredibly vague over the past days in its public handling of the matter, failing to specify details of the incident beyond a ‘disciplinary breach.’ Multiple reports indicate that Aubameyang was given permission to return home to France for a one-day trip, but he was requested to be back the same night by the club for a training session which he could not attend.
Given the wording of the club’s official statement, it seems clear that this one incident alone did not trigger the disciplinary action, but instead it was due to repeated violations, and a lot of them, serious ones. With reports now strife about a move away, Arteta said when asked about a potential transfer, “We have never discussed something like this,”. “When players are having difficulty, what we have to give is support.”
It remains to be seen if and when the 32-year-old striker will figure again. Based on the latest reports he won’t even be training with the rest of the team any time soon, let alone return to the role of captaincy. A transfer away from the club currently looks to be the best option for both involved parties to end this fiasco once and for all.
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