Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang DROPPED by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for ‘disciplinary reasons’

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dropped for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to ‘disciplinary reasons’.

Mike Arteta has said that Alexandre Lacazette will lead the Gunners out at The Emirates while Aubameyang occupies the bench.  

Aubameyang is one of three changes for Arsenal as Cedric, Smith Rowe, Lacazette come into the squad.   

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Arsenal’s starting XI against Tottenham

Speaking ahead of the north London derby, Arteta confirmed that Aubameyang had been dropped to the bench as a punishment but refused to disclose the details as to why. 

He said: ‘He [Aubameyang] was going to start the game but we have disciplinary issue. We had drawn the line and we move on, so he is on the bench.’

When pressed on why Aubameyang had been dropped, Arteta said: We keep that internally. We have a process we have to respect and that’s it.

‘It is a decision I made after evaluating everything and what he has done and that’s it.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Aubameyang was dropped because of ‘disciplinary reasons’

The news comes shortly after Bukayo Saka revealed how Aubameyang can lose his temper

The Arsenal manager did, however, say he was ‘comfortable’ giving other players the opportunity to step up in Aubameyang’s absence. 

He said: ‘We have got other players that we play and we have had to change the team recently quite a lot and there are a number of players who are willing to play. 

‘So we are going to give them the chance and I am comfortable with that.’  

The news comes shortly after Bukayo Saka revealed how Aubameyang has the tendency to lose his temper during games.  

Saka told beIN Sports: ‘Every time I played with him I’ve always had so much confidence.

‘Sometimes he would tell you, you would have to pass to him and if you make a mistake then he can be quite angry.

‘But the game where I scored my first goal for Arsenal against Frankfurt, before the game he said to me, “Bukayo, you know you’re very good player. If you’re there in front of goal and you want to shoot – shoot! I’m not going to say anything”. 

Meanwhile, Mourinho has made a total of six changes to the side who won 2-0 in the week.    

Matt Doherty, Toby Alderweireld, Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Gareth Bale all brought in. 

 More to follow…