Aubameyang’s agent takes to Instagram to make Arsenal dig after striker removed as captain

Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy on Tuesday

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's agent has made a thinly-veiled dig at Arsenal after the club confirmed that the striker had been stripped of his role as captain. The Gunners made the decision after the Gabon international committed three disciplinary breaches, the latest of which occurred this week when he returned late from a trip abroad. Arsenal revealed on Tuesday that Aubameyang had been removed as club captain, and that he would not be available for selection against West Ham on Wednesday. Just minutes after the club confirmed the news, Aubameyang's agent - Kwaku Mensah - posted two images of his client lifting trophies from his time at the Emirates. The club released a statement on the matter, which read: "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.

"We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed. We are fully focused on tomorrow's match."

It is not the first time that Aubameyang's agent has made a dig at the club, with Mensah defending the frontman in December last year when he was receiving criticism for his lack of goals. Mensah posted a Sky Sports graphic that showed how Arsenal were one of the worst teams in the Premier League for chances created.

Alongside the image, he included the caption: "If you create chances..."

Last Wednesday, Arsenal allowed Aubameyang to go abroad to collect his mother - who had been ill - and bring her back to England. The former Borussia Dortmund man took to Instagram to thank fans for their support, writing: "My mother is going through some health issues and I had to be there for her.

"She's already much better now... I'm more than grateful to the doctors and nurses helping her get through this."

Arsenal and Aubameyang agreed that the striker would return to north London prior to training on Thursday, however, he reportedly flew home on Thursday morning instead. Current coronavirus testing protocols meant that Aubameyang was unable to return to training until he had produced a negative PCR test. Arteta dropped the froward to the bench for the north London derby against Tottenham in March due to lateness, with the 32-year-old also reprimanded by the club in February over a possible Covid-19 regulations breach.

Related links:

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy after latest disciplinary breach
• Arteta says Aubameyang has been left out over ‘disciplinary breach’
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misses absolute sitter for Arsenal against Newcastle United