Pierre Emerick Aubameyang Sends Mikel Arteta Awkward Message With First Barcelona Hat Trick

• Aubameyang is beginning to settle at Spanish club Barcelona following a thrilling hat-trick in their win over Valencia
• The Gabonese striker was instrumental in their 4-1 win on Sunday as he seems to have put behind his turbulent times at Arsenal
• Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had claimed the striker didn’t apply himself in training, but he responded with three goals

Gabonese striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored his first goals for Spanish club Barcelona to send an awkward message to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Mirror reports.

The Gunner’s boss had claimed that the player has always failed to apply himself in training, but the former Africa Footballer of the Year responded as he netted a hat-trick for the Catalan giants.

Auba is beginning to settle at the Spanish club as he found the back of the net three times against Valencia on Sunday, helping Barcelona to a 4-1 win at the Camp Nou.

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It was Carlos Soler who pulled one back for the hosts before Aubameyang restored Barca's three-goal lead as he notched his hat-trick, a strike which was originally awarded to Pedri.

The Gabonese will be delighted to put behind his torrential period at the Emirates Stadium after the Arsenal hierarchy stripped him of the club’s captaincy.

Asked if he could have given Aubameyang more leeway given his senior status, Arteta replied via Metro:

"I don’t think I am too hard on that to be fair. I don’t know the perception externally. There are some minimums and a line you cannot cross.

"If someone is going to cross it because they scored 25 or 30 goals that dressing room has to accept it. First of all you have to score 25 or 30 goals

"Maybe they said ‘listen guys don’t train, you train once a week and you play’. They will decide. If they are happy with that and with me there is no problem.”

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Xhaka appears to snub Arsenal captaincy

Meanwhile, there was a moment of confusion during the Arsenal-Brentford clash as Granit Xhaka appeared to refuse to take up the armband after Alexandre Lacazette was substituted.

Arsenal ran out comfortable 2-1 winners as goals from Emile-Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka were enough to see off the Bees at the Emirates.

It was a much-needed result for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now move to within one point of Manchester United in the fourth position, having played two games less.

Thierry Henry speaks on Arsenal’s top 4 chances

Sports Brief earlier reported that Thierry Henry believes Arsenal are in the driving seat in the race to secure a top-four finish at the end of the season.

The Gunners are among five teams eyeing the final Champions League spot, with Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea in line to seal the top three slots.

According to Arsenal hero, Henry, the Emirates outfit have no choice but to qualify for the Champions League - and anything short of that will be regarded as a failure.