Mikel Arteta transformed Arsenal after taking over from Unai Emery in 2019. The Spanish manager revitalized the team, turning them from a struggling mid-table side into one of the top clubs in England, regularly competing for the Premier League title.
One of Arteta’s first priorities was addressing the team’s high wage bill while enhancing its performance. He made tough decisions, parting ways with high earners like Nicolas Pepe and Mesut Ozil, and promoting younger talents like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to the first team.
However, Arteta’s approach wasn’t universally popular among the senior players, leading to notable clashes. His most infamous dispute was with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang had been a standout performer for Arsenal in the post-Arsene Wenger era, following his arrival under Wenger’s tenure. His goal-scoring ability and reputation made him one of the club’s top earners. Yet, his relationship with Arteta became strained.
The pair’s bond began to deteriorate after a promising start, with Aubameyang playing a key role in Arteta’s only trophy at the club. The rift appeared to reach a boiling point in late 2021 when Aubameyang returned late from a trip to visit his ill mother.
Aubameyang explained that the delay was due to COVID-19 restrictions, stating, “My mistake. I should have come back the night before, but I arrived in the morning. I didn’t tell them because I was preoccupied with my mum’s medical exams.” He expected the situation to be resolved without issue, but Arteta confronted him harshly, accusing him of betraying him, which frustrated Aubameyang. The striker felt that Arteta should have shown understanding given the circumstances.
Despite acknowledging his mistake when he’s late, Aubameyang firmly refused to apologize for the situation with his mother, stating, “Even if I came a day late, I would never say sorry. You understand or you don’t.”
This wasn’t the first time Arteta had disciplined Aubameyang; earlier that year, the striker had been dropped for the North London derby due to lateness. The final straw came in December 2021, leading to Aubameyang’s contract termination in January 2022 and his move to Barcelona.
Aubameyang’s career at Arsenal began in 2018 when he was one of the most coveted strikers globally. His arrival from Borussia Dortmund was a key moment for the club. In his first six months at Arsenal, he scored 10 goals in 13 Premier League matches, including the final goal under Wenger’s tenure. His goal-scoring prowess continued in Unai Emery’s first season, where he won the Golden Boot, though Arsenal’s overall performance still struggled.