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All is not well within the Arsenal camp as star striker and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer lead the gunners. The news comes after a latest breach of disciplinary protocols as the player failed to report in time for training session. The striker was dropped from the latest squad of Arsenal as there was no place for the former Dortmund man.
The Gabonese international is thought to have returned late from a trip to France last week. Aubameyang was left out for the game against Southampton on Saturday as manager Mikel Arteta described it as a "disciplinary breach.” Aubameyang is reported to have travelled to France last week, with the consent of the club, but returned a day late.
Arteta's stand
And needless to point out that a decision like this only increases the question marks that surround the striker's long-term future at the Emirates under head coach Arteta. The 39-year-old Arsenal manager confirmed that the player had fallen foul of his infamous 'non-negotiables' prior to kick-off against the Saints.
“It was a disciplinary breach and that’s why he was out of the squad.
“I am not going to say anything else. I am going to focus on the performance and what the team did on the pitch," the Spaniard was quoted speaking to the Mirror.
French striker Alexandre Lacazette led the team against Southampton in Aubameyang's absence.
“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed,” Arsenal said.
“We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”
Aubameyang was left out of the team for the north London derby against Tottenham in March because of a “disciplinary issue,” according to Arteta at the time.
Aubameyang has just four goals in 14 Premier League games this season after signing a three-year contract extension last year that made him the club's highest-paid player.
This is not the only issue that surrounds the team management as Alexandre Lacazette is running out of contract at the end of season. Arsenal is sixth in the league standings on 26 points after 16 matches, two points outside the top four.
