'All or Nothing: Arsenal': Aubameyang's exit explained as Gunners navigate tough season
Episode 5 of 'All or Nothing: Arsenal' was all about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit from the club to Barcelona FC. The Gabonese striker was traded in the final minutes of the transfer deadline in January 2022. After missing out on quite a few games for Arsenal (his last game was against Everton on December 6, 2021, where the side was beaten 2-1). This, followed by his steadily declining relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, meant that Auba was well on his way out.
Despite the 92 goals for the club, it was disciplinary issues that led to Arteta making the harsh call. There were no replacements much to the chagrin of the fans, but the think-tank was solid in their opinion that the best place was reserved only for the top players, and ones who could embrace the culture of the team.
Initially, Barcelona was willing to take Auba on a loan agreement, but it was later realized that they couldn't afford a £340,000-a-week contract. ($348,095.30). Arsenal was not keen on funding the salary for the deal that ran until 2023. It was agreed that he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
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Earlier in the episode, Arteta is seen breaking the news to the team. "I have to announce something. Following the last disciplinary issue that we had with Auba, and the consequences that I decided to take not to involve him in the game, I thought carefully – myself and the club – what was the next step," the Spaniard said. "And we have decided as a club that he is no longer our captain, so you should know that. The other decision is that, for now, he’s not involved in the squad. I will make decisions further along the line."
Auba subsequently agreed on a three-and-a-half-year contract with Barcelona meaning that, despite there being plenty of talk regarding summer acquisitions for another striker, he will be around for the 2022-23 campaign and beyond. However, there have been quite a few developments with the star's future with Chelsea looking to add him after Timo Werner's return to RB Leipzig.
'All or Nothing: Arsenal' episodes 4-6 are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.