Mueez Ajao
– Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday that he hopes former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will receive a warm welcome to London should he complete a switch to Premier League rivals Chelsea from Spanish LaLiga club Barcelona.
– Phenomenal have reported that Aubameyang is one of Chelsea’s targets before the transfer window ends, just a few months after his acrimonious exit from Arsenal following a period during which he was removed as captain for disciplinary issues and frozen out of the squad.
– Details of former Gabon international Aubameyang travelling to Barcelona without Arsenal’s permission emerged during Amazon Prime’s docuseries that covered the team’s 2021-22 campaign but Arteta sought to draw a line under the matter.
Also Read: Chelsea considering audacious move for Aubameyang
– “It’s a long time since that happened. I can’t go back each time there’s a series,” he told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Leicester City.
– “I have made my comments on that. What’s been done has been to defend the club and put it in the best possible position.
– “Auba is an exceptional player. He did so much for us. I hope that he gets a good reception [if he returns] because he deserves that.”
🗣 “Auba is an exceptional player, he did so much for us.”
Mikel Arteta was asked if he has had a request from Chelsea to look at the file he kept of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during his time at Arsenal which was full of his Misdemeanors.
— TheAFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) August 12, 2022
– Arteta said he was pleased with how defender Kieran Tierney had recovered from a knee injury last term that needed surgery.
– “He played 15-20 minutes [in the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace] last weekend and did well,” Arteta said. “He looks in perfect condition now and ready to go.”
– But winger Reiss Nelson faces a spell out after sustaining a muscle issue.
– “He felt something in training,” Arteta added. “The doctor came with bad news. Hopefully he will be back soon.”
