Coach Mikel Arteta responded to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s criticism that he doesn’t know how to manage the players by saying that the Arsenal locker room is more solid than before.
In a video taken in January but went viral earlier this week, Aubameyang said that Arteta does not know how to lead big players or has personality.
At that time, striker Gabon had just quit his contract with Arsenal to join Barca on a free basis.
At the press conference before the match against Bodo Glimt in the fourth round of Europa League group A, when asked about Aubayang’s comments, Arteta replied: “Everyone is free to say what they want.”
The Spaniard then said that Arsenal have the most active dressing room since taking over from Unai Emery at the end of 2019.
“The dressing room is more interesting now, the players train harder, and I have a good relationship with the staff. As a coach, I am very happy to be a part of this team,” Arteta said.
Aubameyang played for Arsenal from the 2017-2018 season, scoring 92 goals in 163 matches, winning an FA Cup, an English Super Cup and finishing second in the Europa League in the 2018-2019 season.
He has been captain since November 2019, after midfielder Granit Xhaka was stripped of his rights due to overreacting to fans.
Aubameyang is a key player in Arteta’s squad, and agreed to a three-year extension in the summer of 2020 when persuaded by Arteta.
However, the relationship between them broke down to the point of being irreparable at the end of 2021, when Aubameyang repeatedly violated discipline.
He was stripped of the captain’s armband, removed from the first team, removed from the list to go to Dubai for training before signing Barcelona.
