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‘It’s going to cause a problem’: Gary Neville suggests Arteta ‘probably’ would sell Arsenal man after loss

Gary Neville has told that the relationship between Mikel Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could cause a problem for Arsenal, suggesting that both parties would not mind if the striker left the Emirates in the near future.

Aubameyang was left out of the starting lineup as the Gunners faced Everton at Goodison Park. The decision came off the back of a five-game run in which the 32-year-old had failed to score.

Everton v Arsenal - Premier League
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Aubameyang would come on against the Toffees. However, his introduction only came about five minutes from the end, shortly after Everton had equalised. It was also particularly interesting that Eddie Nketiah was brought on ahead of the skipper.

Aubameyang went on to miss a glorious chance in stoppage-time after Arsenal had gone 2-1 down. And following the miss, Neville suggested that the forward’s absence was an ominous sign.

“There’s always that little bit of a bug there between Arteta and Aubameyang,” . “I know he’s the captain, but he leaves him out. And it just feels like it’s something a little bit awkward.

Everton v Arsenal - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

“It’s going to cause a problem. I suspect if he could probably get money for him and get someone else, he probably would. And I bet if Aubameyang could probably move on, he probably would as well.”

Arsenal face one massive problem offloading Aubameyang if Arteta does want him gone

In fairness, Aubameyang has started 12 of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season. That may be partially down to the lack of alternative options available to Arteta. The likes of Nketiah and Folarin Balogun are unproven in the Premier League.

But he is an important player. So it would be no surprise if he quickly returned to the fold.

It will be interesting to see how Arteta handles Aubameyang in the weeks ahead. But if he did want to sell him, he faces one obvious problem.

Aubameyang earns in North London. So finding a buyer is going to be incredibly difficult, particularly in January.