Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from the starting line-up to take on Spurs in the North London derby. Reuters
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from the starting line-up to take on Spurs in the North London derby. Reuters
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from the starting line-up to take on Spurs in the North London derby. Reuters
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from the starting line-up to take on Spurs in the North London derby. Reuters

Football

Arsenal drop captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from team to face Spurs for 'disciplinary issue'

Manager Arteta declines to explain what incident was but striker starts on bench for North London derby

The National

March 14, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dropped captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the bench for Sunday's North London derby against Tottenham due to a breach of discipline.

Arteta said the issue was subject to an internal process without divulging further details on what the Gabon international had done.

"He was going to start the game, we had a disciplinary issue, we draw the line and we move on," Arteta told Sky Sports. "He's on the bench."

After a slow start to the season, Aubameyang has scored six goals in his last seven games.

His absence from the start is a massive blow to Arsenal as they aim to end a five-game winless run against Tottenham and keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League alive.

"We keep that internally," added Arteta when quizzed on the nature of the disciplinary breach. "We have a process we have to respect for every game. It's a decision after evaluating everything, who Auba is and what he's done and that's it.

"We have other players who are willing to play and deserve the chance. I'm comfortable with that."

_____________________________________________________________

Olympiakos 1 Arsenal 3: player ratings

OLYMPIAKOS RATINGS: Jose Sa - 5: Showed incredible reflexes to push Aubameyang’s header onto the bar in the opening ten minutes. He denied the Gabonese striker again from a well struck free-kick from range, but he could and should have done better against Odegaard’s long-range effort. Could do little about Arsenal’s second and third goals. PA
OLYMPIAKOS RATINGS: Jose Sa - 5: Showed incredible reflexes to push Aubameyang’s header onto the bar in the opening ten minutes. He denied the Gabonese striker again from a well struck free-kick from range, but he could and should have done better against Odegaard’s long-range effort. Could do little about Arsenal’s second and third goals. PA
Kenny Lala - 5: Had a tough night and couldn’t get close to Tierney in the first half. He managed to stop his forward runs after the break and even got forward himself as the game opened up. Reuters
Kenny Lala - 5: Had a tough night and couldn’t get close to Tierney in the first half. He managed to stop his forward runs after the break and even got forward himself as the game opened up. Reuters
Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 6: It’s no surprise that the defender who played 69 times for Arsenal gave everything against his old side. After a suspect opening 20 minutes, he managed to keep Aubameyang quiet. Getty
Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 6: It’s no surprise that the defender who played 69 times for Arsenal gave everything against his old side. After a suspect opening 20 minutes, he managed to keep Aubameyang quiet. Getty
Oleg Reabciuk - 4: The full-back was guilty of giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas and he was replaced on the hour mark. Still finding his feet after January move. PA
Oleg Reabciuk - 4: The full-back was guilty of giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas and he was replaced on the hour mark. Still finding his feet after January move. PA
Yann M’Vila - 4: Asked to play in the centre of defence and was booked for a wild challenge on Saka, which keeps him out of the second leg. He was out-jumped by Gabriel for Arsenal’s second goal. EPA
Yann M’Vila - 4: Asked to play in the centre of defence and was booked for a wild challenge on Saka, which keeps him out of the second leg. He was out-jumped by Gabriel for Arsenal’s second goal. EPA
Mady Camara - 5: The defensive midfielder did his best to help the home side keep possession. He sprayed the ball around nicely when under no pressure, but could do little to stop Arsenal’s attacking midfielders. Getty
Mady Camara - 5: The defensive midfielder did his best to help the home side keep possession. He sprayed the ball around nicely when under no pressure, but could do little to stop Arsenal’s attacking midfielders. Getty
Andreas Bouchalakis - 5: Arsenal looked dangerous on the break and Olympiakos couldn’t handle it, Bouchelakis’ foul on Aubameyang the perfect example of how they gave away so many free-kicks. AP
Andreas Bouchalakis - 5: Arsenal looked dangerous on the break and Olympiakos couldn’t handle it, Bouchelakis’ foul on Aubameyang the perfect example of how they gave away so many free-kicks. AP
Mathieu Valbuena - 4: Got away with a poor late tackle on Granit Xhaka on the 10-minute mark that summed up his evening. Looked like he’s lacking fitness. PA
Mathieu Valbuena - 4: Got away with a poor late tackle on Granit Xhaka on the 10-minute mark that summed up his evening. Looked like he’s lacking fitness. PA
Youssef El-Arabi - 7: The player who broke Arsenal hearts last season made them pay again when, after winning the ball back from Ceballos, he saw Leno off his line and slotted home from distance. He came close to a second, too. PA
Youssef El-Arabi - 7: The player who broke Arsenal hearts last season made them pay again when, after winning the ball back from Ceballos, he saw Leno off his line and slotted home from distance. He came close to a second, too. PA
Bruma - 6: The Portuguese winger was wasteful with the ball on the few occasions he had it in the Arsenal half. Constantly switched from left to right. He had the first chance on goal for Olympiacos. PA
Bruma - 6: The Portuguese winger was wasteful with the ball on the few occasions he had it in the Arsenal half. Constantly switched from left to right. He had the first chance on goal for Olympiacos. PA
Giorgos Masouras – 5: Had a glorious chance to equalise when he disposed David Luiz, but his shot was high and wide. Getty
Giorgos Masouras – 5: Had a glorious chance to equalise when he disposed David Luiz, but his shot was high and wide. Getty
SUBS: Kostas Fortounis - (On for Valbuena 46 : Has been in good form this season but he couldn’t influence this game. That said, Olympiacos looked better with him on the pitch. AFP
SUBS: Kostas Fortounis - (On for Valbuena 46 : Has been in good form this season but he couldn’t influence this game. That said, Olympiacos looked better with him on the pitch. AFP
Jose Holebas - (On for Reabciu 59') 5: Was it a coincidence that soon after the introduction of Holebas, Olympiacos scored? Probably. The team looked vulnerable following his introduction. Lazar Randjelovic - (On for Bruma 59') 6: Came on and helped the home side keep hold of the ball more and also offered speed on the counter. Ahmed Hassan - (On for El Arabi 77') N/A. Thanasis Androutsos - (On for Masouras 86') N/A. Reuters
Jose Holebas - (On for Reabciu 59') 5: Was it a coincidence that soon after the introduction of Holebas, Olympiacos scored? Probably. The team looked vulnerable following his introduction. Lazar Randjelovic - (On for Bruma 59') 6: Came on and helped the home side keep hold of the ball more and also offered speed on the counter. Ahmed Hassan - (On for El Arabi 77') N/A. Thanasis Androutsos - (On for Masouras 86') N/A. Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 6: Had quiet evening but when he was needed he was found wanting. He contributed to the Gunners losing possession for the equaliser and then couldn’t scramble back in time to make the save. PA
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno - 6: Had quiet evening but when he was needed he was found wanting. He contributed to the Gunners losing possession for the equaliser and then couldn’t scramble back in time to make the save. PA
Hector Bellerín - 6: Solid at the back and looked decent going forward at times, making good runs that on one or two occasions were spotted by the likes of Odegaard. PA
Hector Bellerín - 6: Solid at the back and looked decent going forward at times, making good runs that on one or two occasions were spotted by the likes of Odegaard. PA
David Luiz - 5: Classic Luiz: didn’t have much to do but put his side in trouble by losing possession in his own area. Luccky to get away with it. PA
David Luiz - 5: Classic Luiz: didn’t have much to do but put his side in trouble by losing possession in his own area. Luccky to get away with it. PA
Gabriel - 7: Magalhaes was solid in the centre of defence and he managed to get Arsenal’s noses in front with a marvellous leap and header. AFP
Gabriel - 7: Magalhaes was solid in the centre of defence and he managed to get Arsenal’s noses in front with a marvellous leap and header. AFP
Kieran Tierney - 6: Just loves to attack and he was always looking to overlap Willian when possible. Got forward on several occasions and contributed to a promising offensive performance. EPA
Kieran Tierney - 6: Just loves to attack and he was always looking to overlap Willian when possible. Got forward on several occasions and contributed to a promising offensive performance. EPA
Thomas Partey - 5: Didn’t quite make it through the hour but he had been solid if not unspectacular to that point. EPA
Thomas Partey - 5: Didn’t quite make it through the hour but he had been solid if not unspectacular to that point. EPA
Granit Xhaka - 5 : Midfielder was under pressure following his performance at Burnley and though he was effective at putting the home side under pressure, he was still guilty of giving the ball away cheaply. Reuters
Granit Xhaka - 5 : Midfielder was under pressure following his performance at Burnley and though he was effective at putting the home side under pressure, he was still guilty of giving the ball away cheaply. Reuters
Bukayo Saka - 7: Was lively throughout and though he was unable to make his usual impact in the opposing area, he won enough free-kicks to give his team-mates some decent shooting opportunities. Getty
Bukayo Saka - 7: Was lively throughout and though he was unable to make his usual impact in the opposing area, he won enough free-kicks to give his team-mates some decent shooting opportunities. Getty
Martin Odegaard - 6: The Norwegian was having a sloppy game until he unleashed the opening goal of the game from distance. The power of his effort was too much for Sa in the home goal. Reuters
Martin Odegaard - 6: The Norwegian was having a sloppy game until he unleashed the opening goal of the game from distance. The power of his effort was too much for Sa in the home goal. Reuters
Willian - 7: Willlian’s improving form continued with a series of neat touches and clever link-up play from the left. It was from his cross that Gabriel scored Arsenal’s second. Getty
Willian - 7: Willlian’s improving form continued with a series of neat touches and clever link-up play from the left. It was from his cross that Gabriel scored Arsenal’s second. Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6: He came close with a header early in the game, and again from a free-kick, but the Gabonese striker was kept quiet thereafter. AFP
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6: He came close with a header early in the game, and again from a free-kick, but the Gabonese striker was kept quiet thereafter. AFP
SUBS: Dani Ceballos - (On for Partey 56') 5: Miss-timed his first pass when Aubameyang was through on goal and then gave the ball away for Olympiakos to equalise. Getty
SUBS: Dani Ceballos - (On for Partey 56') 5: Miss-timed his first pass when Aubameyang was through on goal and then gave the ball away for Olympiakos to equalise. Getty
Mohamed Elneny - (On for Willian 82') N/A: Made an immediate impact by grabbing Arsenal’s third goal with a fine strike from 25 yards. Getty
Mohamed Elneny - (On for Willian 82') N/A: Made an immediate impact by grabbing Arsenal’s third goal with a fine strike from 25 yards. Getty
Emile Smith Rowe - (On for Odegaard 82') N/A: Gave the Gunners some fresh momentum going forward. Getty
Emile Smith Rowe - (On for Odegaard 82') N/A: Gave the Gunners some fresh momentum going forward. Getty
Nicolas Pepe - (On for Saka 82') N/A. PA
Nicolas Pepe - (On for Saka 82') N/A. PA
Alexandre Lacazette - (On for Aubameyang 88') N/A: Didn’t have long on the pitch but still managed an effort on goal. Reuters
Alexandre Lacazette - (On for Aubameyang 88') N/A: Didn’t have long on the pitch but still managed an effort on goal. Reuters
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