Arsenal: 3 reasons Aubameyang should be stripped of captaincy

While Arsenal may finish the season without lifting a trophy, when the Amazon All or Nothing documentary comes out it will win every award going.

The campaign had suffered one of what will be one of many bumps in the road with three defeats in the previous four matches, including the horror show on display at Goodison Park. It left a lot hanging on Saturday’s game.

Mikel Arteta has come under severe criticism for his tactical approach, among other aspects, and while he never looked in fear of losing his job, he sure was under threat of losing more supporters.

With preparation for the game already poor, another spanner was thrown in the works. If the situation wasn’t bad enough, the manager confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been left out of the squad due to a ‘disciplinary breach’.

3 reasons Aubameyang should be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after disciplinary issue against Southampton

Naturally there was wild speculation as to why that had been, with the captain not even attending training on the Friday prior, perhaps due to demands of the manager. David Ornstein clarified the matter.

"His report read: “The Athletic understands he was given permission to fly abroad for a personal matter. However, he returned later than agreed, leading to his exclusion from the squad. “His late return had implications for Arsenal’s COVID-19 protocols.”"

It’s not a good look. With Arsenal suffering a setback in their season, having to instruct the captain not to attend training and then be left out of the entire squad for a pivotal Premier League encounter, questions over Aubameyang’s claim to the armband once again emerge.

He shouldn’t be wearing it anymore. This is not what is expected of the skipper of this football club. Here is why.

1. This is Not Aubameyang’s First Infringement

This is arguably the biggest issue of all. Players can get away with the occasional breach if it’s out of character or merely down to, for example, being stuck in traffic on your way to a game.

Last season Aubameyang arrived late to the North London Derby. That alone was completely inexcusable. This just adds to it.

On that occasion he was just left out of the starting lineup and not the squad, but it was a timely reminder of his responsibilities as the captain. No player, no matter how much money they may be on, is due special dispensation.

Certain managers allow it. Arteta is continuing to have questions asked of his man-management skills, with other bosses knowing how to work with certain personalities and handle big characters. There is every chance that Arteta has played some role in his with his treatment of individuals – which is speculative – but when he arrived he set his stall out from the off that he would have his own ‘non-negotiables’.

For the second time, that we know, Aubameyang has acted outside of them. That is not who you want representing this team, regardless of how cheerful he may be and whether or not he is as lovely of a man as he seems from the outside looking in.

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