Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from the Emirates continues to divide the Arsenal fanbase to this day. For some supporters, his exit helped Mikel Arteta establish authority and set a clear example for the rest of the squad. For others, it represented poor man management that ultimately cost Arsenal a place in the top four that season. The team was left relying on Eddie Nketiah to push for Champions League qualification, while their former captain was scoring goals in Spain. There is a feeling among some fans that the Kroenke family should have insisted that the manager’s remit included getting the best out of the resources he inherited, rather than normalising the practice of discarding talent and terminating contracts.
A proven goalscorer at a crucial time
It can be argued that Arsenal have not had a truly consistent goalscorer since Robin van Persie, and have continued to lack one since. In Aubameyang’s first full season in English football, he shared the Golden Boot, underlining his value in front of goal. Like many forwards of his generation, he idolised Thierry Henry and enjoyed drifting wide before cutting inside, a trait that suited Arsenal’s attacking style at the time.
Arsenal have lifted 14 FA Cups in their history, and Aubameyang scored both goals in the most recent final the club won. That achievement is permanent and cannot be taken away from him. At that moment, it appeared he was on course to at least attempt to cement legendary status in north London. Few would have realised at Wembley that day that it marked the beginning of the end of his Arsenal career.
Talent, personality, and professionalism
Aubameyang’s legacy may ultimately be shaped by the balance between his love for football and his wider interests. He is passionate about the game, but he also openly enjoys superheroes, WWE, and fast cars. That made him relatable to supporters, a player living his dream while staying true to himself, yet it also raised questions about reliability in a professional environment. Timekeeping had previously been an issue in Germany, so this was not an unknown risk.
By contrast, figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo often speak about sacrificing every aspect of their lifestyle to maximise performance. It is debatable whether Aubameyang operated with the same mindset. Still scoring regularly for Marseille, some would argue that he remains a more natural finisher than Arsenal currently possesses.
Dan Smith
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Can’t deny his talent and his goal scoring boots. You mention Ronaldo who has been the total professional and I feel Auba could have had a better overall career if he’d adopted the same attitude
Ronaldo’s professionalism (in the sense of personal drive for success – his whining on the pitch and treatment of teammates wasn’t always professional imo) is absolutely unmatched – there’s a fair number of players who would have been better had they been able to match him in that department and I agree auba is over of them. Ronaldo’s talent was significant, but his drive for success and self improvement was almost superhuman from what I can tell and is really what made him one of the best to ever play the game, so the “if” is a big “if* for auba.
A proper natural goal scorer who played with flair, pace and panache. Unfortunately his off field liking of fast cars and partying both contributed to him being late for training etc on numerous occasions and I agree 100% with SueP’s comments ⬆️.
Arteta just don’t know how to manage big and talented players. Or he just resent it.
Take a look at Arteta current squad who has had a better career than arteta???
Cynthia, so you would be okay with a player continually breaking the clubs rules ?
👍👍HD
You and I know that isn’t the authentic reason why Auba was ostracized from the team. Like Auba like Ozil.
Give a dog a bad name just to hang him.
So what was the real reason Cynthia?
Arteta was looking to jnstill discipline and a team ethic.
It was a gamble that I believe had paid off based on the atmosphere at the club both in the changing room and with fans
And he has created one of the most valuable teams in the world with a young age
Many players (Isak to name one recent one) take advantage and think as a key players the club will support them not the manager…glad to see Arteta held strong and its a real shame PEA took the route he did.
My theory was to get them off the wage bill
Bang on the money Dan
Auba was late twice ,one of those times for his mother being ill .
Also the club gave him permission to speak to Barca ,then when he got there they pretended that was not the case (depending what source you believe)
For me when you look at it Arteta cannot stand big egos and PEA and Ozil show that this is probably true ,god forbid I say this as fact as his fan club will be up in arms so I’ll just say that’s my opinion.
When one remembers how quickly Guendouzi was shown the door, I think discipline was something that Mikel was determined to put his stamp on.
However, I agree with Dan regarding their salaries, but there was also the political side of Ozil’s dismissal to remember.
Guendouzi had an ego
Same as Tavares,both gone ,make of that what you will Ken .
Your theory may hold up with Ozil, but Arteta made PEA captain and no doubt had a part to play in him getting that whacking pay rise – the famous egg timer countdown. To then try to get shot on the basis of getting him off the wage bill seems odd to me.
Bang on the money SueP.
Cynthia, it is the reason. He had a long history of breaking the club rules at Dortmund and he carried on breaking the club rules here.
Hmm. This got me thinking.
So does this mean all our current players are mediocre players with no better credentials than Arteta?
Oh, I just remembered that we have Havertz who is a Champions League winner.
Even though Harvertz scored the only goal in that final the likes of Rudigal, Kante, Werner, Chiwell, thiago are higher in rank than him.
Auba was great but his form dropped immediately after he got contract extended. Same happened to Özil.
Now I know that this is hypothetical on my part. But if we had got hold of a younger more disciplined Aubameyang, I believe he could have threatened the Legend that was Thierry Henry’s goal scoring record.
Because one thing that can’t be doubted is Aubameyang’s finishing. Where ever he played he was always a prolific striker. With his goals to games ratio at Arsenal, in his short time at the club. He would have been challenging the likes of both Ian Wright and Thierry Henry.
Of course we’ll never know, but it would have been interesting to have found out.
OT – but as Ozil and Aubemeyang are being discussed, why not?!?!
Just been reading, via Google, about the five most favourite players at The Arsenal using shirt sales and the money earnt.
5th = Saka 20 – 30 million dollars
4th = Sanchez 30 – 40 million dollars
3rd = Aubameyang 40 – 50 million
2nd = Ozil 50 – 60 million dollars
1st = Henry 100 million dollars
Of course Saka’s name will sell many more over the coming season(s) and I’m surprised Bergkamp doesn’t appear in the top five.
So, going back to the article, both Ozil and Aubemeyang were real favourites amongst the fans and suffered the same fate, but for different reasons.
I would also like to ask HD etc why he thinks Mikel gave Aubameyang the same kind of ludicrous contract as Ozil had and also making him club captain, when he knew about the player’s history of breaking various club rules?
In my opinion the Ozil situation is obvious
Plays and assists a goal ….refuses a pay cut ….then never plays for us again
Why do we keep saying Arteta gives pay rises and contracts…. it was Edu and now Berta !
Maybe Arteta was upset at both as they both got huge pay rises and then didn’t act accordingly
Before pay rises and contracts are given, surely Mikel has to say if he wants the player, what he’s worth and plays a part in the negotiations Neil?
Well, as an etc in this thread, I assumed that Arteta wanted him to be captain? Big name, big boots and an opportunity to shine further on the pitch, to have his talent appreciated and to help him to become a role model with responsibility. It should be seen as an honour to be the captain but it didn’t work out like that.
Without Auba Arteta remains trophyless. Auba’s not only goals but performances as well in the FA Cup runs and Shield were highly instrumental.
Yet he’s untrustworthy to be a captain and bad role model.
After Auba joined Chelsea he tried to taunt Arsenal in the run up to the game via his social medis antics and expressed his grudge toward Arteta.
You are generous to give him the no. 4 rank.