Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has criticized Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, as he claimed that the Spaniard is only at ease with youthful players.
Mikel Arteta, according to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, is incapable of managing “great players,” in a dig at the Arsenal manager who fell out with German Midfield maestro Mesut Ozil and Aubameyang within the space of two seasons.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who transferred to Chelsea during the summer transfer window, famously quarreled with coach Arteta while at Arsenal. The quarrel forced Aubameyang to move to FC Barcelona in January 2022 for free.
The former Borussia Dortmund star joined Chelsea after only a few months at Barcelona after assisting the Catalans in reaching the Champions League.
Mesut Ozil, the previous captain of the Gunners, was also dropped by Mikel Arteta due to disagreements.
Note that Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 games over four years in north London. This includes little over two years under Mikel Arteta’s leadership. But Aubameyang’s last months at the club took a bad turn as coach Arteta ended the Gabonese striker’s reign as captain owing to several conduct difficulties.
Because of the irreconcilable differences, the forward’s contract with the Gunners was terminated in February, which paved the way for a transfer to Barcelona.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s bad behavior was documented in Amazon’s All or Nothing documentary on the Gunners, with Arteta creating a dossier before removing the striker’s armband.
Recently, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang criticised Arteta’s leadership style months after leaving Arsenal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang told A Jewellers, “I remember they [Barcelona] first called my father.
“We were familiar with the coach, Xavi when he called and said there was a chance because you were having issues with Arsenal, but if you came, you would aid us.
“But Mikel Arteta can’t handle managing huge characters or major players.
“He (Mikel Arteta) needs some young players since they are receptive to instruction.”
🗣 Aubameyang on Arteta: "Big characters and big players…he can't deal with it. He needs some young players who don't say anything."
— Arsenal Harmony ⚡ (@ArsenalHarmoni) October 9, 2022
This is really low from @Auba. As soon as he wants out he'll create problems in the locker room and blame it on someome else. pic.twitter.com/eIflZHewis
On All or Nothing, Mikel Arteta discussed the situation involving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and said:
“That degree of confidence was lost. With the most crucial player for the squad and the potential effects losing him may have on the team’s performance, it was a particularly difficult choice to make in the middle of the season.
“But if you combine all of these factors and the choice is still obvious, you must make it.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 13 goals in 24 appearances for Barcelona in his brief six-month stay there.
The Catalan giants were eager to offload him due to their well-publicized financial difficulties, and since Chelsea needed a striker in the summer, the 33-year-old came to the Blues.
Graham Potter’s team has gotten off to a good start thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has two goals after four games.
On November 6, Chelsea will play Arsenal, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s remarks on Mikel Arteta will further exacerbate the always heated London Derby.
