Gary Neville has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s ‘big call’ to get rid of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ‘paying off’ at Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports.
The Sky pundit added that, in order for managers to ‘establish themselves’, they have to win such battles and he thinks Arteta is currently doing that.
Back in December, Aubameyang had the captain’s armband strapped to his arm, but over a month later, he was out of the exit door at the Emirates and heading towards Barcelona.
Arteta stripped him of the armband, cited discipline issues, allowed him to leave for Spain and possibly dent Arsenal’s chances of Champions League football.
But, the Premier League table suggests that Arteta has done the right thing, as Neville shared his thoughts on Barcelona’s new superstar.
“He made a big call with Aubameyang,” said Neville. “Going over to Barcelona and sending him out of the club.
“It’s a battle managers, if they are going to establish themselves and gain control, they have to win. And the club have to back them.
“The manager has been backed by the Arsenal board. At this moment in time, it’s paying off.
“Quite a few games to go and we will see how it goes until the end of the season. But, at this moment in time, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are in a good place.”
From an attacking perspective, Arsenal have actually become better without their £56 million player (BBC Sport).
Both from a quantity perspective and a quality standpoint, all of which was proven over the weekend at Vicarage Road.
With Gabriel Martinelli now earning extra game time, Arsenal are moving the ball as they used to during the peak years of Arsene Wenger.
But, it’s all about securing that all-important Champions League spot and given that Arsenal have games in hand on their rivals, if they don’t secure fourth spot, then many will be left disappointed.
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