Mikel Arteta has finally seen it fit to throw some light on his former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s spoilt-brat sarcasm although the Spaniard’s retort was almost nothing in comparison to the stinging rebuke from former Italy forward Antonio Cassano, who has lashed out at the Chelsea striker for his unsavory comments about his former coach.
The video featuring the Gabon striker filmed shortly after his transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona went viral this week in which he was seen saying his former manager ‘can’t deal with’ big players, which by implication would mean he probably considered himself as someone in that high echelon.
Obviously the two individuals had a relationship that was sorely lacking during their time together in north London, with Arteta subsequently stripping the forward of the captaincy before dropping him from his team for disciplinary breaches.
Aubameyang capitalised on the opportunity after the video surfaced and took to Twitter to say he ‘still had a lot of bad feelings’ at the time, although wishing Arsenal well.
Arteta was subsequently asked about his former star’s comments on the eve of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt and the Spaniard was most perfunctory in his reply/
“People are free to discuss what they want,” he told reporters in Norway.
“I have never been in a better dressing room [than this season] – more enjoyable, more hard-working, a better relationship between staff and players and it is an absolute pleasure as a coach to be a part of this group.”
Things turned sour between Arteta and Aubameyang, leading to the striker’s exit
But former Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma striker Cassano is still far from impressed with Aubameyang’s comments, despite his explanation.
Arsenal have gone from strength to strength since the Gabon star’s exit, with the Gunners currently top of the Premier League after a 3-2 victory over Liverpool last weekend.
Meanwhile, Aubameyang lasted just seven months at Barcelona before he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea.
And, while the frontman has three goals in six appearances for the Blues this season, Cassano says he cannot criticise Arteta when he ‘can’t even trap a ball’.
“Now Aubameyang is speaking as well,” the Italian said via Sport Witness.
“He dares to say that Arteta doesn’t know how to handle champions.
“When Arteta took Arsenal, in a general disaster, there were many players among whom he was there too.
“Does Aubameyang consider himself a champion? But if he doesn’t know how to trap the ball.
“Now Aubameyang can speak as well. People wake up in the morning and start talking about football. Now football is good for everyone.
“Aubameyang, two dribbles with his left foot every now and then, fouls, every now and then he stops the ball well.
“Goals, goals, goals ok … try to play football instead of talking about Arteta, who is a coach and who has a young team, nothing special, and he is first in the most important championship in the world.
“He speaks too. For me it’s madness guys.”