Chalk another one up for the Arsenal captaincy curse after news emerged that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been stripped of the armband.
“Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday's match against West Ham United,” a brief and blunt statement on the club’s official site read.
“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.”
Mikel Arteta spoke in more detail about the decision and revealed that the striker would be missing from the matchday squad for an indefinite period of time.
He explained: “What I can say now is that 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.”
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It leaves Aubameyang’s Arsenal career in a perilous position just 14 months after he “signed da ting” in order to become a Gunners legend.
Few could have ever anticipated that those beaming smiles on the Emirates pitch back in September 2020 would have turned so sour, so quickly.
Arteta refused to suggest that Aubameyang could be sold when the window opens next month, but reports from Catalonia claim Barcelona would be more than willing to explore the opportunity.
Just like how the rapid collapse of his standing in north London was difficult to envisage, right now him returning to the fold under Arteta appears similarly unlikely.
But he needs to look no further than the man he replaced as captain, if he wants an example of how a faltering Arsenal career can be put back on the right track.
Granit Xhaka, now a candidate to become skipper again, looked to be on his way out back in 2019, when bust-ups with managers and supporters left him on the brink.
The Swiss midfielder’s negative relationship with the club came to a head during a home draw with Crystal Palace when he told fans to “f*** off” after being withdrawn.
Unsurprisingly, he lost the honour of being captain and doubted whether he would ever play for the club again.
“Of course, I don’t lie,” he said when asked by the Evening Standard whether he thought he’d played his last game for the club. “There was a moment, because it was not easy for me and my family. I hope people understand this.
“But I think I showed my character. I am not a guy who runs away. I always say to the club, ‘When I [am] here, I am ready to give everything’.”
Unai Emery being replaced by Mikel Arteta certainly helped Xhaka’s plight, but with a quiet dignity, he managed to repair his relationship with fans and has extended his career in north London by another two years.
Both Arteta and technical director Edu placed Xhaka amongst the current leadership group and have showed the potential - however long the road may be - back to a position of importance in the squad.
