'Put a knife in my back': Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talks about Mikel Arteta clash that saw him leave Arsenal

Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has shed new light on his fallout with Mikel Arteta that led to his bitter exit.

The 34-year-old revealed how the Spaniard accused him of “putting a knife in his back” during his stay at the Emirates came to an end under controversial circumstances.

Having had the captain's armband removed from himThe once-adored striker was expelled from the club when his contract was terminated in the winter transfer window of 2022.

Aubameyang, who later signed for Barcelona on a free transfer, it was found in artetaThe bad books after returning late from a prearranged trip.

Now in Marseilles after a brief passage through ChelseaThe Gabonese international has told his version of events, two years after leaving Arsenal.

He said Interview: “It was during the Covid period and we were playing, I think, Everton.

“My season wasn't very good, 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 let yourself know before the game because you have to follow health safety regulations.'

“My mother a few months before had a stroke, it was going to be Christmas so I went to see the coach and I told him: 'Coach, I come to see you because I would like to leave, I'm going to go look for my mother to bring her back for the vacation. He tells me there is no problem.

aubameyang He left the country but after returning had to go through Covid protocols, including self-isolation, and had to take a test, which delayed his appearance at Arsenal training.

This sparked an incredible outburst from Arteta, which marked the end of their relationship and Aubameyang's time at the club.

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Aubameyang added: “I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and completely tears me apart, he screams at me like I'm crazy, he says to me: 'You put a knife in my back. You can't do that to me given the times that we're passing by.'

“At that moment I tell myself that I'm not going to answer him because he's going to end up angry.

“I didn't go to the party. He knows very well the reason for my departure, so at that moment I don't understand why he lectures me like that. I get home and the doctor calls me and tells me: 'Not tomorrow, the coach.' be there.”

After being left out of the call to face Southampton In December 2021, journalists questioned Arteta about Aubameyang's omission.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund star's career had already ended at the Emirates and he would not appear for the club again.

Three days later, Arteta had stripped him of the captain's armband and his contract was mutually terminated more than a month later on 1 February.

Aubameyang continued: “Days go by and the doctor tells me: 'Look, he doesn't want you to be with the group anymore, but you can come to train but separately.'

“I say okay… And then he calls me and we have a meeting so he can explain to me that he is taking away my captain's armband and that I no longer train with the group.”

Having signed a huge £350,000-a-week contract in 2020, terminating Aubameyang's contract didn't come cheap as Arsenal paid the striker a lump sum of £7m.

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However, while the saga proved complicated, it has worked out for all parties, with Arsenal flourishing since then and rivaling Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Aubameyang, apart from a poor six-month spell at Chelsea, has also scored goals again, first with Barcelona, ​​where he scored 13 in 24 appearances, and now at Marseille, where he has scored 30 goals this season in all appearances. competitions.