Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has answered questions about the future of club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the striker was left out of the Gunners' starting XI for their last Premier League game.
The former Borussia Dortmund frontman played just five minutes of the defeat at Everton, missing a late chance to equalise in the 2-1 defeat, with Alexandre Lacazette starting and Eddie Nketiah coming on for the final 20 minutes.
The 32-year-old, who signed a new contract in 2020, had gone five games without scoring before the trip to Goodison Park.
Arteta was asked about his relationship with Aubameyang at a press conference ahead of the London side's Premier League meeting with Southampton, and clarified his reasons for leaving out one of his most experienced players on Monday.
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"I have a very good relationship with my players," Arteta said.
"Everyone has to understand that I always do the best for this club and for this team. And often if that can benefit any individuals, I will always do it.
"The decisions are not personal, the decisions are just to get performance, and the best out of the team. That’s it."
Gary Neville warned Arteta about the consequences of his treatment of Aubameyang, while John Barnes has urged the Gunners to sell their captain.
“I think there will be a problem with Aubameyang off the back of this game. I don't think he'll like Nketiah coming on [before him], I don't think he'll like being sub full stop,” Neville said on Monday Night Football after the Everton game.
However, despite the striker's barren spell, Arteta revealed there are no plans to sell him.
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"Really, we have never discussed something like this [a sale], and when players are under difficulty - or the team is under difficulty - what we have to be is supportive," Arteta said.
"It’s all about patches, every player has patches and moments, and it’s about trying to make the big moments and the good moments and the form when a player is scoring goals to try and maintain it, and try to reduce to the time when they don’t."
Aubameyang's last goal came in October, when he converted the rebound after his penalty was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and he also missed from the spot in the November victory over Watford.
His fellow strikers Lacazette and Nketiah are both out of contract in the summer,. but Arteta revealed talks are ongoing with the latter, but added "nothing has changed regarding Lacazette's future.
"Well, Eddie has six months left in his contract and we are having discussions with him and the agent to try to find the best possible way," the manager said.
"Eddie knows how much I rate him, and I like him - and I would like him to stay at the club."
