Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta keen to draw a line under striker’s discipline breach

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang watches on from the bench after being dropped against Spurs
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Mikel Arteta called Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang an “incredible guy” and said he wants to draw a line under dropping the Arsenal captain for Sunday’s north London derby.

Aubameyang had been due to start against Tottenham at Emirates Stadium but he was dropped to the bench for disciplinary reasons.

It is understood the forward breached the Arsenal’s match-day protocols and as a result he was replaced in the starting XI by Alexandre Lacazette - who went on to score the winning goal as the Gunners came from behind to beat Spurs 2-1.

But after the game Arteta said a line has been drawn under the incident.

“We know how important Auba is for us and for the club and that’s it. It’s been dealt with, now let’s move on,” he said.

“I made what I thought was the right decision and we draw a line there and now let’s move on again.

“We have a way of living together, that we have to respect each other and that's it.

“But he's an incredible guy, he's probably one of the most important players in the team, he's our captain.

“These things happen. We move forward. Let's enjoy the victory tonight and let's dedicate it to our fans.

“These things happen in football. There are a lot of things going on in our lives, people are finding it really difficult to handle all the restrictions that we have as well. It's part of our job.”

Arteta has a track record for being strict with discipline - as shown by his treatment of Matteo Guendouzi last season.

And asked why that’s the case, Arteta said: “Because for me they are the foundation and the platform that we can build something medium and long-term that is sustainable and that can bring us joy and happiness.

“Without that, I don’t believe that it would happen. That’s why I keep talking about it and acting about it.”

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