Arsenal: We expect our players to follow the rules and standards
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped as team’s captain following a disciplinary last week, the club said on Tuesday. The former captain will also not play Gunner’s next match against West Ham at Emirates on Wednesday; after he missed a 3-0 win over Southampton last week.
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," Arsenal said in an official statement.
"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," it added.
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta made Alexandre Lacazette the captain for the match against Southampton following Aubameyang’s absence.
The 32- year had been dropped before for disciplinary reasons, with Arteta excluding the striker from their 2-1 derby win over north London rivals Tottenham last season. Arsenal is sixth in the league standings on 26 points after 16 matches.
According to reports, Aubameyang had been to France last week for a personal trip. He returned later than agreed, forcing him to miss training due to the need to pass Covid-19 protocols. This is, however, not the first time that Aubameyang breached protocol this season.
Earlier this year, manager Mikel Arteta had left out Aubameyang during the team's clash against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur over a disciplinary issue when he arrived late for a pre-match meeting. This is the third time in at least nine months the Gabonese forward has breached protocol.
Aubameyang was made Arsenal’s captain back in 2019 after Granit Xhaka was stripped from the role for his tirade towards the supporters during a game.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.