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‘He was so good’: Eddie Nketiah says he misses ‘great’ player Arteta ditched at Arsenal

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 20 April 2022 15:45, UK

🍸Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has praised Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang in conversation with .

𝔍The Gunners and Aubameyang went their separate ways after a deterioration in his relationship with Mikel Arteta.

ꦦThe Arsenal boss stripped the 32-year-old of the captaincy in December following a series of disciplinary issues.

✱Arteta then left Aubameyang behind as the squad traveled to Dubai for a winter training break at the end of January.

♊The Gabon international went on to join Barcelona on a free transfer, signing a contract until June 2025.

🅘Aubameyang has scored 10 goals and registered one assist in 16 appearances for Xavi’s side.

🍰Meanwhile, Arsenal have suffered a downturn in form, losing three league games in a row.

♉The Gunners – now with just two senior strikers in their ranks – have netted just once in those three games.

ꦓNketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are the only two senior centre-forwards at Arteta’s disposal.

ꦍIn addition, both of their contracts expire at the end of the season and both seem likely to leave.

“Part and parcel”

🐓Nketiah has revealed that Aubameyang was “so good” to him as a player, mentor and friend.

𒁏However, the 22-year-old acknowledged that his departure is “part and parcel” of the game.

꧂“It was different, you saw these players growing up,” said Nketiah.

𒐪“I wouldn’t say it affects me, obviously you miss them.

🍌“Auba is a great guy, I learnt so much from him and he was so good for me.

ღ“But it’s part and parcel of football at the end of the day.

🌱“I care about everyone, but I’m also in my own zone caring about myself.”

Arteta really messed up on the striker front – TBR View

✤It’s been a rollercoaster season for Arsenal, who started atrociously, did well in between, and are now struggling again.

✤Injuries to key players have been unfortunate and Arteta can’t really get the blame for that. After all, strength in depth takes time.

🍸However, offloading a world-class striker for free, mid-season, when already short of numbers at centre-forward, and not bringing in any replacement – that’s not good decision-making.

𓄧Surely there would’ve been a way for Aubameyang and Arteta to reconcile at least until the end of the season?