Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of Arsenal’s squad at the weekend after being given special permission by the club to fly to France only to stay longer than had been agreed.
Mikel Arteta created headlines on Saturday when he left the Gunners’ skipper out of the team that comfortably beat Southampton, refusing to expand on the decision beyond citing a ‘disciplinary breach’.
It has now been revealed by The Athletic that Aubameyang had left the UK on Tuesday and flown to France in order to visit his mother and bring her back to London with him.
Arsenal were accommodating of the request and granted him permission, with Arteta very understanding when it comes to family matters.
However, it was under the proviso that he return the following day, on Wednesday, but instead he stayed an extra night and flew back to the UK early on Thursday morning.
Although he still arrived in time for training that day, Arsenal felt he had taken advantage of their kindness, while it also resulted in an issue over Covid-19 protocols.
Aubameyang underwent a test in France prior to his flight and felt that would be sufficient to join training, but current guidance dictates that he needed a PCR test in England before returning to London Colney.
He was therefore sent home on Thursday and then ordered not to report to training on Friday, before being left out of the squad against Southampton.
Although the infraction was relatively minor, Arsenal and Arteta are very clear on such matters and the Spanish coach felt Aubameyang – who has breached other rules in the past – needed to face consequences.
He was vindicated somewhat by Arsenal’s victory over Southampton, in which replacement Alexandre Lacazette got on the scoresheet.
Aubameyang has now returned to training and is expected to be in the squad that takes on West Ham on Wednesday, though his latest misdemeanour, however minor, has created more question marks over his suitability as captain.
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