Arsenal

Arsenal: Darren Lewis slams Arsenal for handling of Aubameyang situation

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Image for Arsenal: Darren Lewis slams Arsenal for handling of Aubameyang situation

TalkSport pundit and journalist Darren Lewis has given his thoughts on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his treatment of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 32-year-old has been the subject of some controversy in recent weeks regarding his place in the team, or indeed lack thereof, as he hasn’t started a game for the club since the start of the month, and has either been a substitute or out of the squad completely since then.

He has also had his captaincy taken away from him over his ‘disciplinary breach’, with The Athletic claiming that the breach was for returning late home from a trip abroad.

Speaking about the issue on the TalkSport Gameday Podcast (28:29), Lewis slammed Arteta and the club for the way that they have handled the situation, claiming that Aubameyang ought to be better treated for what he has done for the club, and that large parts of the matter could have been handled differently:

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In what month did Mikel Arteta take over as the Arsenal boss?

“I think as far as Aubameyang is concerned, I’m a little bit dismayed by that one because I think there were times when he carried that club on his back. Single-handedly won the FA Cup, saved Arteta’s job in many situations. He was the only player for a very long time, scoring away from home when no one else was pitching in, and again, keeping Arteta in a job.

“And first chance he’s got Arteta’s thrown him overboard… I just think that given what Aubameyang’s done for Arsenal and for Arteta, it could have been handled a bit more discreetly. I just felt it was quite humiliating to make a big announcement, big song and dance about it and leave the thing being trailed if you like.”

TIF Thoughts on Darren Lewis’ comments about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Arsenal

Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still Arsenal’s best striker?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Lewis is right in that perhaps Aubameyang should have been cut some slack for his late arrival back, as it wasn’t totally egregious behaviour in the grand scheme of things, whilst also factoring in what he has done for the club in the examples that Lewis mentions.

However, this is something that is better placed in the public domain, because at least fans know why the situation is developing as it is. For instance, with his contract expiring in 18 months, being dropped to the bench and out of the squad might have given off the wrong idea about his future by suggesting he could be set to leave in January.

So at least the club are being open about the matter and what they are doing to resolve it, which is much better than leaving fans in the dark and being left to their own devices, which could end up leading to the wrong conclusion.

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.