Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Reflects on Arsenal Exit and Fallout with Mikel Arteta

Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has opened up about the disciplinary breach that led to his fallout with Mikel Arteta and, ultimately, his exit from the club. Speaking candidly to The Athletic, Aubameyang shared his side of the story, shedding light on the events surrounding his much-publicized clash with the Arsenal manager.

The incident occurred when Aubameyang returned late from a trip to France, where he had been attending to his mother’s medical needs. Reflecting on the situation, the Gabonese forward admitted he made a mistake by not informing the club of his delayed return.

“My mistake. I should have come back the night before, but I arrived in the morning,” Aubameyang explained. “I didn’t tell them that I would miss the flight because I was preoccupied with my mum’s [medical] stuff.”

Despite the circumstances, Aubameyang said he expected some understanding from Arteta. However, what followed was a heated confrontation.

Arteta’s Reaction

According to Aubameyang, Arteta was furious about the situation, emphasizing the responsibilities that come with being the team captain. “He said, ‘Come with me.’ This is where he started shouting. He said I could not do this because I was the captain, and it was not acceptable,” Aubameyang recalled.

The forward revealed that Arteta accused him of betrayal. “He said I gave him a knife in his back — I don’t know why he said that. I was really p*ssed off because it was not true, and he knew why I flew. He knew the reason and what was happening; he knew I was struggling that year. I was expecting help from him, not killing me like this.”

Standing by His Actions

While Aubameyang acknowledged his mistake in returning late, he remained adamant that he had no regrets about prioritizing his mother’s well-being. “When I’m late, and it’s my fault — no problem. I always said sorry. But in this case, I’ll never say sorry. For taking my mum from Laval to London? No. Even if I came a day late, I would never say sorry.”

He further criticized Arteta’s lack of flexibility, suggesting that the situation could have been handled differently. “You understand, or you don’t. If not, don’t give a day off or tell people they cannot fly,” he said.

Fallout and Departure

The fallout between Aubameyang and Arteta marked the beginning of the end for the striker’s time at Arsenal. Stripped of the captaincy and sidelined, Aubameyang eventually departed the club, joining Barcelona in January 2022. While his time at Arsenal ended on a sour note, Aubameyang left as one of the club’s most prolific goal scorers, having netted 92 goals in 163 appearances.

The incident highlights the challenges of managing relationships in professional football, particularly when personal issues intersect with professional responsibilities. For Aubameyang, the episode remains a painful chapter in his career, but one he feels was unjustly handled.

As Aubameyang continues his career elsewhere, the fallout serves as a reminder of the fine line managers and players must navigate in balancing discipline with empathy.