Arsenal were euphoric after splashing out a club record fee in the January transfer window, only to find themselves in turmoil four years down the line. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s signing from Borussia Dortmund was met with celebration as the Gunners unveiled their new £56million striker on deadline day in January 2018.

The prolific frontman found the net on his debut and needed minimal time to adjust to English football, scoring 10 goals in his opening 14 matches. As Arsene Wenger’s final signing, Aubameyang appeared to signal the beginning of another prosperous period as he secured the Premier League Golden Boot in his maiden full campaign, despite Arsenal’s struggles on the field.

In November 2019, the Gabon international was appointed as the club’s new captain and subsequently lifted the FA Cup at the conclusion of that season. His commitment to a new three-year contract in September 2020 was welcomed by Arsenal supporters.

However, Aubameyang was subsequently sidelined from the squad and departed the club by mutual agreement, fewer than 18 months after signing the deal.

Mikel Arteta made the decision to exclude his captain from the squad to face Southampton in December 2021 due to disciplinary issues, and subsequently stripped Aubameyang of his captaincy.

The striker had returned late from an authorised trip overseas to bring his mother back to England, but his tardiness disrupted the club’s COVID-19 protocols, much to Arteta’s frustration.

Reflecting on his clash with the Arsenal manager in 2024, Aubameyang told Colinterview: “I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears into me. He shouts at me like I’m crazy.

“He says, ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me given the times we’re going through.’ At that moment I tell myself that I’m not going to answer him because it’s going to end angrily.

“I didn’t go partying. He knows very well the reason for my departure so at that moment I don’t understand why he is lecturing me like this. I go home and the doctor calls me and says, ‘Tomorrow, the coach doesn’t want you to be there.'”

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He went on to say: “The days pass and the doctor tells me, ‘Look, he doesn’t want you to be with the group anymore, but you will be able to come and train but separately.’ I say to myself ok… and then afterwards, he calls me and we have a meeting so he can explain to me that one, he’s taking away the captain’s armband, and two, I’m not training any more with the group.”

Aubameyang was then sidelined from the squad until his contract was terminated by mutual agreement in February 2022, with the striker moving to Barcelona the following day. Despite losing his key forward, Arteta had clarified his reasons for dropping Aubameyang when addressing his initial decision two months prior.

The Arsenal boss explained: “Unfortunately, (Aubameyang has been left out) due to a disciplinary breach. I think we’ve been very consistent with no negotiables as a team that we have set ourselves as a club, so he’s not involved today. Certainly, it’s not an easy situation, a situation that we want our club captain to be in.”

Arsenal’s decision to let Aubameyang depart highlighted Arteta’s growing authority as he began moulding a squad that would subsequently compete for league titles. Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 matches for the Gunners.