In a recent interview on the ‘Colinterview‘ podcast, as relayed by the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, the former Gunners captain has claimed that a visit to his ailing mother ultimately led to his fallout with manager Mikel Arteta, who accused him of betrayal.
Aubameyang, now 35 and plying his trade with Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, has reflected on his short stint with FC Barcelona as the happiest of his career, despite playing for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Olympique Marseille for longer.
In the podcast, he explained, “If I had to choose a stage of my career as a footballer, I would choose that of Barça. There are many moments that I want to re-compose forever, but I would choose above all the affection of the Culés.”
Aubameyang enjoyed a successful spell with Barcelona in early 2022, scoring 13 goals in 24 matches before departing just months later.
However, it was his comments regarding the conclusion of his Arsenal tenure that stood out.
Aubameyang disclosed that a personal family emergency—his mother suffering a stroke—had delayed his return to London, whereupon he was confronted by Arteta. According to Aubameyang, Arteta accused him of betrayal. “My mother suffered a stroke and I delayed my return because I took her to her medical clinics,” Aubameyang said. “When I arrived, Arteta finished his meeting. He grabbed me and shouted at me: ‘You have betrayed me. I can’t do this with everything we’re going through.”
A few days later, Aubameyang was on his way to Barcelona, ending his four-year stint at Arsenal.
This adds a new layer to the story that has been unfolding since 2022. Back then, journalist Matt Law reported that Aubameyang held a personal vendetta against Arteta. Law claimed that Aubameyang viewed himself as the scapegoat for Arsenal’s struggles during his final months at the club and that he felt isolated by the coaching staff. While Aubameyang had no animosity towards his teammates, the club, or its supporters, his frustrations were clearly directed at Arteta.
Adding further context, Rafa Benitez had also weighed in on the matter in late 2022. Speaking on Premier League Productions, Benitez suggested that Arteta initially tried to support Aubameyang, attempting to work with him for as long as possible before circumstances forced a different decision. Benitez said, “I think he was trying to support the player, as much as he could. Then after he couldn’t, so he had to make a decision and that’s it.” It was an echo of a more pragmatic approach taken by Arteta—one that eventually led to Aubameyang’s exit.
Despite the obvious tension between Aubameyang and Arteta, other details have emerged portraying a complex relationship. During his time at Arsenal, Aubameyang was reportedly given multiple chances by Arteta, who attempted to manage the player’s recurring misdemeanours—as documented in the Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ series. But after several incidents, including lateness and unapproved absences, Arteta seemingly reached his breaking point. The accusations of betrayal that Aubameyang now recalls are indicative of a situation that had grown untenable for both parties.
Aubameyang’s most recent comments will certainly rekindle debate among Arsenal supporters about Arteta’s decision-making and his approach to dealing with senior players. Yet they also serve to underline the long-standing tension that had been growing beneath the surface at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta’s decision to let go of his then captain was widely considered a risky move at the time, but Arsenal’s subsequent resurgence in form seemed to validate the manager’s stance.
The latest claims from Aubameyang paint a vivid picture of his final months at Arsenal—a period marked by personal challenges, accusations, and ultimately an irreparable breakdown in trust between player and manager. For Aubameyang, those events now appear to be in the past, as he fondly looks back on his happier times at Barcelona. For Arteta and Arsenal, however, the move marked the beginning of a new chapter—one in which discipline and unity have become cornerstones of the club’s renewed ambitions.
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