Aubameyang exit ´decision we had to take´, says Arsenal boss Arteta ahead of Chelsea reunion

Mikel Arteta says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal departure was “a decision that we had to take” as the ex-Gunners man prepares to face them with Chelsea.

The Gabon international departed the Emirates Stadium midway through last season by mutual consent, after he was previously stripped of the captaincy.

A move to Barcelona failed to yield a long-term stay, leaving Aubameyang to return to the Premier League with the Blues, where has scored three goals in 11 games to date.

Ahead of a reunion when the two sides meet on Sunday, Arteta did not dwell on the reasons for the forward’s exit, but says it was a necessary move for both club and player.

“It’s a decision that we had to take and there are different parties involved,” he stated.

“At the end of the day, when someone is not with us any more and being a player and having the role that he had at the club and how important he was, you always wish everybody the best.

“When someone makes that decision to move somewhere else, they need to enjoy their profession, and he seems to be happy.”

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Having coached him for several years in north London, Arteta is aware of the threat his former player possesses, adding that he knows he is “very dangerous”.

“If Auba has something, it’s the ability to put the ball in the back of the net,” he said. “He’s going to be doing that until the day that he decides he’s had enough of football.