Arsenal legend believes Aubameyang departure could cost top-four chances

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s situation could have been handled better.

Gunners icon Nigel Winterburn believes Arsenal could lose out on top-four with the departure of Aubameyang.

The 32-year old striker had a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta due to a disciplinary breach back in December.

He was stripped of the captaincy and was exiled from the Arsenal squad.

The Gabon striker finally decided to leave for Barcelona on a free transfer this January window.

Winterburn believes Arsenal could miss out on Champions League qualification with Aubameyang’s departure.

“Everyone is scratching their heads over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from Arsenal,” Winterburn told Paddy Power.

“We’ve heard parts of the story from two or three different sources, but we don’t have the full picture from both sides.

“Could both Aubameyang and Arsenal have dealt with it better? Yes, probably.”

Winterburn continued: “It feels as if Aubameyang was the captain and then something went awry. Him losing the captaincy wasn’t based on a one-off issue – there were several.

“Mikel Arteta decided that ‘enough is enough, you’re the captain of this club and I am trying to lead a young team, and it’s not acceptable’.

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