Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be in the Arsenal squad for their game against West Ham after a disciplinary breach and his long-term future hangs in the balance.
Mikel Arteta has already confirmed the former club captain had been stripped of the captain's armband, having left the former Borussia Dortmund man out of the squad for Saturday's victory over Southampton.
"We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed," a club statement read on Tuesday.
The manager has commented further on Aubameyang's future, with his response raising new questions about whether he will ever return to action for the club.
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"Has he played his last game for Arsenal? All I can say is that for now, he’s out of the squad, he’s not involved and sadly, this is the decision that we’ve taken," Arteta said.
"What I can say for now is that, you can understand it is a lot to digest and a really difficult decision to make, so we need a bit of time. It is a really unpleasant situation
"The decision that we made is really hurting, and it is still like this and it needs a bit of time to heal. So for now, he is not involved in the squad.”
Reflecting on the "really tough" decision, the Arsenal manager hinted at the reasons for Aubameyang losing the captaincy.
“What I expect from any person in this football club, that is representing this badge, with passion and that he gives absolutely 100 per cent, that he puts the club in front of any personal interests and is able to do anything to fulfil the badge we have on the chest.
“Apart from that, you can listen to individuals and you can understand different cultures, but that commitment and passion has to be there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
“The decision that we have taken as a club is very clear. It is because we believe that he has failed to be committed at the level that we all expect and agreed. It is as simple as that."
While the manager's assessment makes clear the captaincy situation, his refusal to make a concrete ruling on Aubameyang's future could be seen as opening the door to a January exit.
Alexandre Lacazette, one of the members of the Gunners' leadership group and the man who wore the armband against Southampton, is out of contract in the summer, as is fellow forward Eddie Nketiah.
If no new deal can be reached with either, selling Aubameyang in January could run the risk of leaving the Gunners light up front beyond this season, but it appears Arteta is not yet prepared to rule it out.
