Important Arsenal star emerges as massive transfer target for Spanish side Barcelona
Football![Important Arsenal star emerges as massive transfer target for Spanish side Barcelona](https://images.sportsbrief.com/images/320x180/dcc94770415f3028.webp?v=1)
Mikel Arteta has thanked Gabonese striker Aubameyang for his contributions to the development of Premier League side Arsenal before he left the Gunners for a move to Barcelona.
Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta had issues at the Emirates stadium and was stripped captaincy of the club even before he traveled to Cameroon for the 2021 African Cup of Nations with Gabon.
The former Dortmund striker was also ordered not to train with the first team and missed some games before his contract with Arsenal was terminated on mutual agreement.
After joining Barcelona on a free transfer, Aubameyang pointed accusing finger towards Mikel Arteta claiming that the Spaniard was responsible for his departure.
Important Arsenal star emerges as massive transfer target for Spanish side Barcelona
Football“I think it was only with him and then he took this decision. He wasn’t happy and that’s it. I was calm.”
According to the report on GOAL and Mirror, Mikel Arteta explained that he is not to be blamed for Aubameyang's departure at Arsenal.
"I’m extremely grateful for what Auba has done and his contribution," the Spaniard told reporters ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Wolves on Thursday.
"The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem."
Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appointed Alexander Lacazette as the club's new captain for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Gunners have been without a substantive skipper since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the role following "a disciplinary breach."
Embattled Arsenal star Aubameyang willing to play for ‘practically nothing’ to secure move to Spanish club
FootballAnd with the Gabonese striker already past tense at the Emirates following his January switch to Barcelona, Arteta has resolved to fill his role with Lacazette.
This will not be the first time Lacazette is sporting the Arsenal armband, having captained the north London on several occasions this term.