Mikel Arteta's Arsenal Reign Marked by Player Clashes and Tough Decisions
Since taking over as Arsenal manager in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into a competitive force, though his journey has been far from smooth. The Spanish boss, who led the club to an FA Cup triumph, has made several difficult choices while aiming to end Arsenal's Premier League title drought, which now spans over two decades.
Arteta's cultural revolution at the Emirates Stadium has involved clashing with key players, with four notable figures experiencing disputes that led to three of them eventually leaving the club. These conflicts highlight the manager's uncompromising approach as he strives for success.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: The Captain's Fall from Grace
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's relationship with Arteta deteriorated dramatically in December 2021. The striker returned late from an authorised trip to visit his ill mother in France, arriving in the morning instead of the night before. In an interview with The Athletic, Aubameyang admitted his mistake but expressed frustration at Arteta's reaction.
"I went directly to a team meeting. Everything was normal. After that, he (Arteta) said: 'Come with me'. This is where he started shouting," Aubameyang recalled. "He said I could not do this because I was the captain and it was not acceptable. He said I gave him a knife in his back."
The forward, who had previously been late for a squad meeting before a north London derby in March 2021, was dropped and eventually left for Barcelona in February 2022 by mutual agreement.
Matteo Guendouzi: The Brighton Bust-Up Fallout
Matteo Guendouzi's Arsenal career unraveled after a mass altercation with Brighton players in June 2020. Following Neal Maupay's late winner, the midfielder clashed with opponents, leading Arteta to omit him from subsequent matches. When asked about Guendouzi's future, Arteta remained cryptic, stating internal matters would be handled privately.
Guendouzi later joined Hertha Berlin and Marseille, where he reflected on his relationship with Arteta. "It's true that I didn't have the best relationship with him," he told BeIN Sports. "He preferred other players and I respect that decision. That's why I decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time."
Mesut Ozil: The High-Profile Exclusion
Mesut Ozil started well under Arteta but saw his opportunities vanish after football's pandemic hiatus. The playmaker reportedly refused a wage cut while on a £350,000-a-week contract and was sidelined for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Arteta insisted the decision was purely football-related, though Ozil accused the club of disloyalty.
Ozil's agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, revealed the surprise exclusion from both Premier League and Europa League squads for the 2020-21 season. "The coach didn't want him in the squad and the player has to accept that," Sogut said. Ozil departed for Fenerbahce in January 2021.
William Saliba: The Patience That Paid Off
William Saliba's early days at Arsenal were fraught with tension after Arteta deemed him unready for first-team action. The defender, signed under Unai Emery, was loaned back to Saint-Etienne and later to OGC Nice, missing out on Arsenal's Europa League squad in January 2021.
Saliba publicly questioned Arteta's judgement, saying, "The coach immediately told me I was not ready. I would have at least liked to have had a chance." However, Arteta's decision proved astute, as Saliba thrived in Ligue 1 before becoming a key player for Arsenal in 2022.
Arteta's clashes with these players underscore his rigorous standards and willingness to make tough calls. As Arsenal continues to challenge for trophies, his management style remains a defining feature of the club's recent history.
