Report: Mikel Arteta gets told to remove Aubameyang as Arsenal’s captain

Arsenal appointed Aubameyang as their new captain last year after Granit Xhaka had a bust up with the fans hence losing the captaincy, Aubameyang was second in line in the five captain format that Emery used and so he took over the role. Aubameyang is yet to commit his future to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta has been advised to remove the captaincy from the Gabon international.

Aubameyang has entered into the final year of his current deal at Arsenal and there have many reports claiming that the North Londoners could be forced to sell him in this upcoming summer transfer window since they won’t want to lose him for free in 2021 when his deal expires. There has currently been no sign showing that Aubameyang will accept a new deal from Arsenal as most reports say that he wants out of London so that he could go and compete for trophies elsewhere before he retires.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has spoken out on the current issue of Aubameyang and says that Mikel Arteta should have to remove him from the captaincy if there’s still doubt over his future. The former Arsenal defender does however mention that Aubameyang will leave the Emirates with a heavy heart as he has been the best player they’ve had since Thierry Henry was at the club.

“I think the message needs to be to the player ‘look, we can’t have you captaining the club if there’s uncertainty around your contract’, in the last year of his contract, that can’t be allowed to happen.” Martin Keown told talkSPORT.

“I think he’ll leave with a heavy heart. I think he’s the nearest thing I have seen to Thierry Henry at the football club and the club will have to make swift decisions.”

“They can’t allow what happened a few years ago with the transfers just going on and on. The club needs direction.”