Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has in a recent interview revealed his own story from the row with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, that made him depart the club on a sour note.
Speaking with Colinterview this week, the Gabonnese said ; “It was during the COVID period and we were playing, I think, Everton. My season wasn’t great, we were struggling in the league and the day before the coach told us: ‘Look, it doesn’t matter if we win or not, you have a day off. But if you want to leave, you notify yourself before the match because you have to follow the health safety rules.’
My mother a few months before had a stroke, it was hot and it was going to be Christmas time so I went to see the coach and I said to him: ‘Coach, I’m coming to see you because I’d like to leave, I’m going to go pick up my mother to bring her back for the holidays.’ He tells me no problem. He knew very well what had happened, the day it happened he had already given me permission to go see her. So he gives me authorization and tells me to check with the doctor about the return in relation to covid.
I’m going home to Laval, normally I was supposed to leave on the free day and return in the evening rather than the morning of training. My mother had exams to do, I couldn’t leave in the evening so I left the next morning on training day. Once I got there, I had to take my test but in fact I should have done it the day before since I was coming from another country.
I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears me up, he shouts at me like I’m crazy, he says: ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me given the times we’re going through.’ At that moment I tell myself that I’m not going to answer him because it’s going to end in steak. I didn’t go partying. He knows very well the reason for my departure so at that moment I don’t understand why he is lecturing me like this.
I go home and the doctor calls me from behind, he says to me: ‘Tomorrow, the coach doesn’t want you to be there.’ I said ok, I knew the next match was coming and I said to myself: ‘Damn once again everyone is going to talk about it, it’s going to be a mess, what is this crazy thing.’ I couldn’t understand it was lunar.
The days pass and the doctor tells me: ‘Look, he doesn’t want you to be with the group anymore, but you will be able to come and train but separately.’ I say to myself ok… And then afterwards, he calls me and we have a meeting so he can explain to me that one, he’s taking away the captain’s armband, and two, I’m training more with the group. Once again, he explains why he is against me during this period when it was complicated for the club. That I have to be an example and that I couldn’t do that. At that moment, I said: ‘I admit that I have my share of responsibility but the real cause I think you can understand if you are a little bit human. You can understand my move.’
After that, it was over, I stayed for a month training on my own while waiting for the break.” He concluded.
Aubameyang lifts lid on row with Mikel Arteta
Aubameyang eventually moved to Barcelona after terminating his Arsenal contract. However, the fact that he was in Barcelona before the club reached an agreement did not sit well with the Arsenal fans.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the Arsenal captain before the armband was taken off him, and he was able to feature 163 times for the Gunners, scoring 93 goals and assisting 20 others in his four years stay at the club.
Aubameyang also led Arsenal to the Emirates FA Cup and the Community Shield title before things went sour. He had a good stay in Barcelona, where he made 24 appearances and scored 13 goals, which included a brace in the Clasico in the Bernabéu.
He left for Chelsea in the summer of 2022 after less than six months in Barcelona. At Chelsea, he had a regrettable stint as he was not really given the chance to star.
21 games and three goals scored in the 2022-23 campaign for the club. His return to England will be remembered for his awkward video in the build-up to Arsenal’s trip to the Stamford Bridge in November 2022.
“Arsenal… it’s nothing personal. I’m back. I’m blue. I’m ready. Let’s go!” Said the now Olympic Marseille man in the video.
His words were not well received by the Arsenal fans, who didn’t find it funny. Aubameyang was made a mere spectator during his 64 minutes played in the game as he was limited to just eight touches, with Arsenal also winning 1-0 thanks to a Gabriel’s goal.
Aubameyang has now put the tough period behind him with sensational first season with Olympic Marseille on his return to France. The 34-year-old scored 30 goals and assisted 11 others in 51 games, winning the UEFA Europa League top scorer award.
His time at Arsenal was enjoyable, but the ending to their story is not one that pleases the hearing.
Dropped form and personal issues between himself and the manager led to it. And Aubameyang did not have so much reputation of being well-behaved, given what also transpired in his latter days in Dortmund, and the Gabonnese national team.
