Aubameyang punished again by Arsenal for disciplinary reasons

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped by Arsenal for Sunday’s North London derby against Tottenham for disciplinary reasons.

Arsenal won the game 2-1 as a goal from Martin Odegaard and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty overturned a stunning Rabona opener from Alvaro Lamela.

However, the big talking point from the game from Arsenal’s point of view revolved around Aubameyang.

Why was Aubameyang dropped?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed before kick-off that Aubameyang had been set to start the match but had been dropped due to disciplinary reasons.

Aubameyang was named among the substitutes, but he did not see any action during the game at the Emirates.

“He was going to start the game but we had a disciplinary issue,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“We have drawn the line and we move on. We keep it internal. We have other players who are willing.”

The Athletic have reported that the reason Aubameyang was punished was because he turned up late for the match on Sunday.

This is allegedly not the first time he has turned up late this season, while he was also disciplined by the club in February for breaking COVID-19 regulations in order to get a tattoo.

Aubameyang has had a disappointing season by his own high standards.

Aubameyang: Arsenal statistics in 2020/21

He has scored nine goals in 23 Premier League games, a return that is well down on his exploits in his first two-and-a-half seasons in London.

This has led to complaints that Arsenal may have repeated the same mistake they made before with Mesut Ozil in handing a player over the age of 30 an expensive new contract.

Aubameyang signed a new three-year contract worth £55 million last summer but has failed to pay that back on the pitch.

He turns 32 in June.