AUBA RATED
Arsenal verdict: Gunners did not miss Aubameyang vs Saints after disciplinary axe and Martinelli could fill in from now
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG missed another Arsenal game because of a disciplinary issue but the Gunners did not miss their captain one little bit as they beat Southampton at the Emirates.
Granted, Saints offered very little by way of opposition during the North Londoners' 3-0 win but Mikel Arteta's side certainly did not look weaker without the Gabonese.
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Gabriel Martinelli played in Auba's place on the left-wing, and although the Brazilian is far from the finished product, his work rate and desire seemed to suggest he wants to play for Arteta and Arsenal more than the club captain.
Aubameyang did not even make the bench for the Saints clash.
And speaking ahead of the game, Arteta said: "Unfortunately due to a disciplinary breach.
"I think we have been very consistent that we have certain non-negotiables in the team that we have set ourselves as a club, and he's not involved today."
However, Arteta was as clear as mud after the match when repeatedly asked for more detail on the Aubameyang situation.
He was asked whether he remains captain, whether the matter is over and if the £350,000-a-week ace would play in Wednesday's huge clash against top-four West Ham.
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And most observers were left none the wiser on any of the points raised.
Such a response seems to suggest the issue will rumble on, and if that does see Auba axed for the Hammers' visit and beyond, Martinelli's performance will likely see him keep his place.
The 20-year-old is still a rough diamond and has lots of work to do on his decision making and end product.
Time and time again, his electric pace and close control helped the Gunners relieve pressure at the back and set his team on the attack.
But for every expectant 'GO ON!' from the Emirates crowd, there was usually a subsequent 'UGGGGHHHH' just moments later as he inevitably took one touch too many, delayed a pass or just ran into a dead end.
He was given a 7/10 by SunSport's reporter at the Emirates.
FORM FALLEN OFF A CLIFF
And that was mainly as a result of his work rate and desire rather than any moments of real quality.
But Auba has provided very little of either this season and few Gooners will be too gutted to see him axed again for Wednesday's London derby.
In fact, his form has fallen off a cliff since signing his bumper new deal in September 2020.
Only this week Gary Neville said Arteta would sell the former Borussia Dortmund man if he could.
The Sky pundit feared the pair's relationship going sour and if Saturday's situation is anything to go by, it has certainly taken another step away from sweet.
PAST ISSUES
Whether or not a January move is on the cards remains to be seen - there will be very few clubs lining up to match or even get close to such a salary for a 32-year-old with two years left on his deal.
But if indeed Saturday is the beginning of the end and Auba is frozen out until the window opens, there are far worse players than the eager and still-promising Martinelli to stand in for now.
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This is not the first time Aubameyang has been dropped by Arteta for off-field issues.
On the day of the North London derby last season Arteta axed the Gabon captain from the team after he arrived late for the game.
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