Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his players must show their passion and commitment to the club in order to keep their place on his side.
What did Mikel Arteta say?
The Gunners boss insists that he is not running Arsenal as a dictator, but simply asks for respect and loyalty from his players after dropping Aubameyang from the squad. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the Gunners’ captaincy this month and has not featured in the team’s last four games due to a disciplinary issue. The Arsenal boss says he expects the same level of commitment from all of his players, insisting that he is not too harsh on the attacker.
Mikel Arteta told reporters that he does not establish his rule by being dictatorial or ruthless. Arteta is just asking for one thing, respect and commitment. At this level, if Mikel doesn’t get it, he’ll pack up the bags and go somewhere else, because that’s the minimum he can ask for. Arteta is going to expect this from everyone who works for the club. First of all from himself, and on the day when he does not do this, he will pass through this door and go and do something else. As clear as that.
According to Mikel Arteta, in order to be successful, they have to be passionate about something and want to represent a club of this size, with its history. This is the minimum standard they have to bring. Arteta is not going to ask anyone to put the ball in the top corner every time they hit him, but Mikel will ask them to do the right thing every day for this club.
A little about Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored four times in 14 Premier League matches in 2021-22. The Gabon international has faced criticism this season for his performances, albeit in particular for missing an incredible chance against Newcastle in November. Pierre-Emerick’s contract at Arsenal runs until 2023, but the club could be looking to sell him soon amid recent disciplinary violations.