‘Disgusting treatment’ – Piers Morgan blasts ‘shameful’ Arsenal boss Arteta for stripping Aubameyang of captaincy

PIERS MORGAN has blasted Mikel Arteta for a ‘shameful decision’ to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy.

And the TV star has slammed the ‘disgusting treatment’ handed out by the Gunners to the striker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has sensationally been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy

The forward was dropped for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton after arriving back late from an authorised trip to France.

Now the 32-year-old has been handed the ultimate punishment of LOSING the captain’s armband.

And it has not gone down too well with renowned Gunners fan Morgan.

He tweeted: “Shameful decision by Arteta. What a disgusting way to treat a man who went – with the club’s full knowledge & permission – to help his sick mother.”

The club captain was given permission to go abroad on Tuesday on the understanding he would return on Wednesday.

It is believed he was collecting his mother. Aubameyang was given permission to miss two matches in January as he helped his mum through some health issues.

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But the Athletic reports the Gabon striker instead flew back to North London on Thursday morning – a decision that irked Gunners bosses.

And the move was made worse by confusion around Covid testing protocols, with Auba unable to resume training until he had returned a negative PCR test.

A statement on Arsenal’s website this afternoon read: “Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.

“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.

“We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”

Aubameyang described it as a terrific honour when he was named Arsenal captain after Granit Xhaka was himself stripped of it for disciplinary reasons.

A video was shared showing his father giving him the armband.

The Gunners haven’t confirmed who Aubameyang’s successor will be. Alexandre Lacazette wore the armband for Saturday’s win over the Saints.

Piers Morgan has slammed Mikel Arteta for his treatment of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

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