Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang couldn’t have been further from the Arsenal squad on New Year’s Day after being released early for AFCON and the recently-deposed club captain has completely ignored his teammates playing on New Years’ Day.
With Mikel Arteta stating that Arsenal are taking it ‘match-by-match’ in relation to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s in-house suspension, the moves that are happening away from the pitch are, perhaps, more revealing.
If reports in the papers are to be believed, Arsenal are actively trying to find a new home for their former talisman while the player’s agent is also shopping him around.
As Arsenal put in one of their best performances in years against the team widely regarded as the best in Europe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent a post on Instagram wishing his followers a ‘Happy New Year’ – there was no mention of Arsenal or his teammates whatsoever:
View this post on Instagram
Even Mesut Ozil, perhaps even more harshly treated by Arsenal, regularly posted messages of support for his teammates during his exile, always encouraging them and trying to pick them up when they lost.
But from Auba?
Nothing.
There are a number of clubs interested in taking Aubameyang from Arsenal during the January transfer window, including Newcastle United who would like him on loan and no doubt see the 32-year-old as a major statement signing.
At this point, few Arsenal tears will be shed when he leaves which, after 92 goals, and 21 assists, in 163 games, seems a real shame for things to have turned out this way.
Then again, we should have known. Nearly every coach he has had has suspended him at some point.