Arsenal remove Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as club captain: Why some Gunners fans are unhappy with the decision

Arsenal have removed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the captaincy role in North London.

The Gunners confirmed last night that the Gabonese striker has failed to live up to the discipline and rules set by the club.

As a consequence of his actions, he has been stripped of his captaincy and will also have to sit out the match against West Ham United.

Aubameyang was initially ruled out for the match against Southampton last weekend owing to this disciplinary issue.

When asked why the forward was suspended for the West Ham game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said (via football.london): “We need a bit of time.

“It needs a bit of time to heal. For now, he’s not involved in the squad.”

The decision to remove Aubameyang has been protested by some fans after reports emerged that Aubameyang was late to report in England as he was visiting his sick mother in France.

Despite having a track record of having disciplinary issues, Aubameyang’s reported reason has found sympathy with the fans.

Famous TV journalist and long-time Arsenal fans Piers Morgan has led the protests by slamming the club and the manager over their decision.

Morgan tweeted: “Shameful decision by Arteta.

“What a disgusting way to treat a man who went – with the club’s full knowledge & permission – to help his sick mother.”

Arteta is yet to announce who will replace Aubameyang as the new captain at Arsenal.

Our View

Aubameyang’s past disciplinary issues plus his general player profile, does not make him a great fit for a captain.

He is not the most vocal player on the pitch, and he is not an aggressively passionate man.

Aubameyang lets his football do the talking, which is not enough to warrant the armband at a big club like Arsenal.

Arteta has had over two years at the club, and his decision to remove the Gabonese forward from captaincy is sensible.

However, if reports are to be believed, the reasons stated out for the same are rather insensitive.

Players are human beings, and Aubameyang should not have been punished for visiting his sick mother.

Even if he was held accountable, the penalty should have been less severe.

With results not going his way, Arteta’s timing on the captaincy switch will only add pressure to his faltering reign at the Emirates Stadium.

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