‘Stop falling out with stars!’ – Arteta told by Arsenal legend
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told that he must improve his relationship with key players if the club is to flourish.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the Gunners on transfer deadline day after disciplinary issues with the club, flying to Barcelona in order to seal a move to the Camp Nou outfit.
It is now the first time, however, that the Spaniard has had a fractious relationship with a big earner. Previously, Mesut Ozil found himself frozen out on the sidelines before being huckled out of the club to Fenerbahce in January 2020 while Matteo Guendouzi has been chased to Marseille on loan amid a poor relationship with Arteta.
Gunners legend Martin Keown has warned the young manager that losing a big-name player on an annual basis because of poor relations is not something that can continue, though.
Arteta's approach criticised
Speaking to Talksport, he said: “What I wanted was for Arteta to continue to get the best from a player - that’s the role of a manager isn’t it, win games and get the best from players?
“Is this decision in the best interest of Arsenal football club? That’s all I’m looking at. There is no replacement that has come in for the striker. Arsenal are in a fight for fourth place and have an opportunity to do that.
“There have been one or two fall outs, and he may feel like he’s eradicating a culture that was allowed to grow under Arsene Wenger, and I understand that.
“But at the same time all footballers are very different, so what you have to do if find a way to get the best from everybody.
“You can’t keep falling out with people!”
Arsenal are not back in action until Thursday, when they travel to face Wolves in the Premier League after nearly three weeks off.