Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from Arsenal in January 2022 was shrouded in controversy, stemming from a disciplinary breach involving a trip to France to visit his ailing mother. Aubameyang admits to returning a day later than agreed upon, attributing the delay to his mother’s medical appointments. However, he maintains his actions were justified given the circumstances and refuses to apologize for prioritizing his family. This incident proved to be the breaking point in his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, who stripped him of the captaincy and ultimately banished him from the squad. Aubameyang felt unsupported by Arteta, expecting empathy rather than the harsh reprimand he received. The striker insists he had always accepted responsibility for past tardiness but felt this situation warranted different treatment. He questioned Arteta’s logic, suggesting the manager either prevent players from traveling altogether or accept the potential for unforeseen delays.
The disciplinary action against Aubameyang followed a turbulent period in his Arsenal career. Just a year prior to the fallout, he signed a lucrative contract extension amid fervent pleas from fans. However, Aubameyang reveals he had harbored desires to leave the club in search of a fresh challenge, feeling his time at Arsenal had reached its natural conclusion. He confided in teammate Alexandre Lacazette about his uncertainty, admitting his desire to depart on amicable terms, leaving behind a positive legacy. He believed remaining at Arsenal risked tarnishing his reputation and ultimately opted to extend his stay after being persuaded by Arteta’s vision for the club. The subsequent breakdown of their relationship, culminating in his exile from the team, stands in stark contrast to the earlier optimism surrounding his contract renewal.
Aubameyang’s departure brought an end to a four-year stint at Arsenal, marked by both prolific goalscoring and increasing friction with Arteta. Despite the acrimonious ending, Aubameyang maintains a fondness for the club and insists he holds no ill will towards the fans. He even received a “great message” from Arteta upon his exit, suggesting a degree of mutual respect despite their differences. Following a brief, underwhelming spell at Chelsea, Aubameyang now plies his trade for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, continuing his career far from the Premier League spotlight.
In a separate development highlighting Arsenal’s current struggles, a recent match report details a lackluster performance against Brighton, resulting in a loss that further jeopardizes their title aspirations. Youngster Ethan Nwaneri emerged as a bright spot, scoring a goal and showcasing his potential as a future star. His pace, physique, and left foot drew comparisons to the injured Bukayo Saka, offering a glimmer of hope for Arsenal fans. However, the overall team display was disappointing, with Gabriel Jesus particularly ineffective in attack. The report criticizes Jesus’s anonymity throughout the match, suggesting his lack of contribution upfront will severely hinder Arsenal’s title challenge.
Other player ratings from the Brighton match paint a picture of an inconsistent performance. David Raya in goal was deemed blameless for the conceded penalty, while Thomas Partey’s experiment at right-back proved unconvincing. William Saliba’s solid display was marred by conceding the penalty, while Gabriel Magalhães faded after a promising start. Riccardo Calafiori impressed with his all-around contribution, while Jorginho struggled to keep pace with the game. Mikel Merino, despite assisting Nwaneri’s goal, also faded in the later stages. Declan Rice, playing a more advanced role, showed glimpses of his quality but couldn’t prevent the defeat. Leandro Trossard, facing his former club, failed to make an impact against a hostile crowd. Substitutes Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were unable to change the course of the game.
The contrasting fortunes of Aubameyang’s past and Arsenal’s present underscore the cyclical nature of football. Aubameyang’s departure, while controversial, ultimately paved the way for new blood in the Arsenal squad. Meanwhile, the team’s current struggles, exemplified by the Brighton defeat, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Arteta as he attempts to build a consistent title-contending side. The emergence of young talents like Nwaneri offers a glimpse into the future, but the immediate concern remains the team’s inconsistency and the need to find a reliable goalscoring threat in the absence of a firing Gabriel Jesus.
