Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has opened up about his disastrous relationship with Mikel Arteta as he shed light on his tumultuous exit from Arsenal.
Aubameyang has found himself at odds with Arteta over repeated disciplinary issues. The striker's punctuality became a source of perpetual tension between the pair, with Arteta growing increasingly frustrated with the striker's behavior.
The deterioration of relations eventually led to a mutual agreement for Aubameyang to leave Arsenal. In 2022, he signed with Barcelona on a free transfer, a move which ended his time at the Emirates Stadium on a bitter note. In a conversation with the Colinterview podcast, Aubameyang reflected on his departure and acknowledged his responsibility for the events that unfolded.
“I arrived late for a training session because I had an accident on the way to Colney (the club's sports center),” he said. “ Arteta didn't choose me to play against Tottenham. Then he came to my house after the match and we had a frank conversation. It was respectful of him. »
Aubameyang swings at his former club
Aubameyang stressed that his intentions were never to disrupt harmony within the club and added: “I never wanted to hurt Arteta or the club with my behavior. I share responsibility for what I did. I felt hurt and it's a shame that I can't continue to be part of this project. »
The tipping point came when Aubameyang returned to London late after visiting his ill mother. “My mother had a stroke and I delayed my return because I took her to her medical appointments,” he revealed. “When I arrived, Arteta finished his meeting. He grabbed me and shouted: 'You betrayed me. You can't do that with everything we're going through.' »
Aubameyang joined Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League and has scored four goals in nine league matches. He will be back in action against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on November 22 after the international break.
