Mikel Arteta praised for not 'prostituting himself' for former Arsenal player

Simon Jordan heaped praise on Mikel Arteta for his handling of former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal are currently at the Premier League summit, some eight points clear of last season’s Champions Manchester City, albeit having played a game more.

The Gunners are just 10 games away from claiming their first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger’s infamous Invincibles side 19 years ago.

And Arteta has received widespread praise for transforming the north London club from top-four hopefuls to genuine title contenders in the past four years.

One situation that required all the Spaniard’s wits was the dealing of Arsenal’s star striker Aubameyang.

The 33-year-old was offered a bumper new deal upon his contribution to the club’s 2020 FA Cup win. However, after a series of alleged disciplinary issues, Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy.

The former Gabonese international saw his relationship with Arteta completely break down, and he ultimately left Arsenal for Barcelona in January 2022.

Arteta praised for Aubameyang situation

Outspoken pundit and former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan heaped praise on Arteta for his handling of Aubameyang.

Writing in his Mail+ column, Jordan said: “Arteta didn’t allow conventional player power to get the better of him, prostituting himself for someone like Aubameyang.

“Everyone said Arteta had to play him because he was a proven goalscorer. But Arteta was adamant. He didn’t stick with typical football thinking, bending to the will of a big-name player so it was off you go.

“It was Arteta’s piece de resistance. The moment that defined him being given backing and support by the ownership.

“He had the balls to ditch his star player, regardless of the short-term impact on his team, because the ownership was aligned with him and saw things in him. He was strong, brave and courageous. And bloody right.

“After booting out Aubameyang to Barcelona, Arsenal went on a remarkable run before they ultimately choked at the end of the season, gifting a Champions League place to Tottenham.

“But Arsenal’s owners could see, from Arteta’s actions throughout the season that he had the mettle and the nous and dispelled the idea he’s all theory - he had started practising in reality.”