Arteta Can’t Handle Big Name Players, Says Aubameyang

Former Gunners skipper, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has taken a swipe at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, claiming he can’t handle ‘big players.

Aubameyang, who joined Chelsea during the summer transfer window, infamously fell out with Arteta while he played for the Gunners.

He spent four years in north London, scoring 92 goals in 163 games. This included just over two years with Arteta at the helm but his final few months at the club turned sour as the Spaniard stripped Aubameyang as captain due to several disciplinary issues.

The fall-out was irreconcilable and the Gunners terminated the forward’s contract in February, which saw him join Barcelona.

And reflecting on his Arsenal exit, Aubameyang took a swipe at Arteta’s management style.

“I remember they [Barcelona] first called my father,” Aubameyang told A Jewellers.

“We knew the coach, Xavi, then he called me and said there is an opportunity because you have those problems with Arsenal, but if you come you will help us a lot, so I said, ‘okay’.

“But to manage big characters or big players, he (Arteta) can’t deal with it.

“He (Arteta) needs some young players, they don’t say anything, they listen.”

Aubameyang only spent six months with Barcelona, netting 13 times in 24 games for the club.

Due to their well-publicized financial troubles, the Catalan giants were keen to move him on and with Chelsea desperate to add a striker, the 33-year-old moved to the Blues during the summer.

Aubameyang has started well for Graham Potter’s side, netting twice in four games so far, and will face the Gunners when they clash with the Blues on November 6.

Meanwhile, Arteta’s Arsenal is flying in the Premier League this season as they seat top in the league standings.

On Sunday they edged Liverpool 3-2 at the Emirates thanks to a brace from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.