“Mikel Arteta made me emotional – I had to apologise to everyone in front of the team.”

A former Arsenal player has shared how his strained relationship with manager Mikel Arteta led to an emotional apology to his teammates before his departure from the club.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang disclosed that Arteta moved him to tears ahead of his exit from Arsenal. The striker ended a turbulent three-and-a-half-year stint at the Emirates in February 2022 after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract. Once the team’s star player, Aubameyang’s downfall was marked by repeated disciplinary issues that ultimately proved too much for Arteta.

One significant incident occurred in March 2021 when Aubameyang was benched for a crucial north London derby against Tottenham due to arriving late for the team bus. Arteta’s firm decision left a deep impression on the player. Recalling the event, Aubameyang told The Athletic: “When we got to the hotel, he called me to his room and said I wasn’t going to play. He was strict. The rules are the rules. I felt hurt. I had tears because I wanted to play that game so badly. The next day, I stood up in front of everyone to apologise. He also visited my house to speak, trying to prevent chaos. I said, ‘It’s going to be okay.’ But things were never the same after that.”

During his time at Arsenal, Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 appearances and dealt with multiple conflicts with Arteta, including one in late 2021 when he returned late from visiting his sick mother. This incident further strained their relationship. Despite being retained as captain, a trip to Barcelona without the club’s approval to force a transfer became the final straw.

Reflecting on his decision to leave, Aubameyang said, “I wanted to push it; I just wanted to go.” Arsenal eventually agreed to terminate his contract, allowing him to join Barcelona on a free transfer. Just months later, he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea.

Aubameyang’s story highlights Arteta’s firm stance that no player is bigger than the team. Although Aubameyang believes some details were misrepresented publicly, he acknowledged the need to humble himself before officially parting ways with Arsenal.

Separately, Arsenal’s new kit design has been unveiled, featuring a sleek, minimalist approach by Adidas. The jersey incorporates a stripped-down cannon emblem placed over the heart, blending modernity with the club’s rich heritage.