Rio Ferdinand explains how Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will benefit from Aubameyang exit
Pundit Rio Ferdinand has explained why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will benefit from the exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, despite the striker’s great form with Barcelona.
Aubameyang endured a troublesome final few months with the Gunners. He lost the armband in mid-December after a disciplinary breach. The Gabon international was then kept on the sidelines for several matches before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Aubameyang would have been hoping to improve his fortunes while on international duty. But he contracted coronavirus on the eve of the tournament and then suffered from heart lesions.
The 32-year-old ended his torrid few months by securing a free transfer to Barca, after Arsenal agreed to terminate his contract early.
And he has been in good form while in Spain, notching four goals in as many La Liga appearances so far. That includes a hat-trick against Valencia on February 20.
Aubameyang continued his hot streak with a goal in the recent Europa League victory over Napoli.
He is clearly enjoying life with the Blaugrana, and the exit is leading to more questions surrounding Arsenal’s transfer policy. Aubameyang followed Mesut Ozil in leaving the Emirates on a free, after costing a hefty sum originally.
Aubameyang looks happy again, says Rio Ferdinand
Despite the criticism facing the club, Ferdinand reckons Aubameyang’s departure will work out for all parties involved.
He said on the Vibe with Five podcast (via the Daily Mirror): “I just feel he [Aubameyang] looks happy again. I saw him at Arsenal for a number of months where he just didn’t look happy.
“People undervalue and underestimate how important your happiness is when you’re a footballer, or any job. You’ve got to have that element of happiness and fulfilment and he just wasn’t having that at Arsenal.
“Both have benefited from him leaving. Arteta has got even more of a stranglehold on the squad, more respect – they know where they stand now. There’s a line that they don’t go beyond, we don’t know the details of that.”
Ferdinand continued: “Nobody has doubted the rate at which he’s always scored goals in his career.
“There’s obviously something that’s gone on behind the scenes where Mikel Arteta has said, ‘I’m not having that, you’re going to have to go’.
“It’s worked out for each other. If Arsenal finish fourth Arteta is totally justified in what he’s done.”
Failed Arsenal transfer explained
Meanwhile, a report has claimed Arthur Melo ‘had his bags packed’ ahead of a January transfer to Arsenal, while also explaining why the move fell through.
Sport Witness, who cite Italian source Calciomercato, provide an insight into the failed transfer.
They claim Arthur ‘had his bags packed’ and was ready to move to the Emirates. It would have been his first stint in the Premier League.
He knew Zakaria was coming into Max Allegri’s midfield and was hoping to engineer a transfer to get regular game time elsewhere.
Arthur’s links with Arsenal were more than just a rumour, as it was a ‘concrete option’ – according to the report.
But Arsenal did not complete the capture as they failed to meet Juve’s demands. The Italian giants wanted a permanent solution right away, which the North London outfit would not adhere to.
READ MORE: New West Ham star on the radar of Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs after rejecting contract offer
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