What did we learn from Gabriel's comments on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

Gabriel

What did we learn from Gabriel's comments on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

By Jack Lacey-Hatton

Gabriel's revelations over the weekend that an in-house bust-up with coaches led to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure last month hasn’t come as a dramatic surprise to anyone with an interest in the club. 

More surprising is that a senior player has chosen to speak about the incident, at a time when the former-skipper's departure as a result of soured relationships is still fresh in the mind.

In an interview with ‘Oh My Goal’, Gabriel was surprisingly candid as he spoke at length about his affection for Aubameyang.

The two were teammates for one-and-a-half seasons at the Emirates and clearly struck up a strong relationship during that time.

So what new light did Gabriel shed on the forward’s departure?
 

Rift with Arteta

In the immediate aftermath of Aubameyang's move to Barcelona at the start of February, speculation was rife that his status within the dressing room had fallen in previous months.

But Gabriel has moved to dismiss these rumours by publicly stating that the Gabon international only had differences with those on the coaching staff, rather than any of his teammates.

His stripping of the captaincy before Christmas was a clear sign that the relationship between him and Arteta was heading south, eventually going beyond repair.

In his interview with the 'Oh My Goal' YouTube channel Gabriel actually said: “Aubameyang is in my heart, we all wanted him at Arsenal.

“It's something that happened between him and the coaching staff, the other players weren't in it.

“I said goodbye to him before he left, I hope he enjoys Barcelona, he is a very nice person with a big heart and I love him very much.”

This is suggesting he still he has the respect of his clubmates despite his differences with the staff.

The hierarchy at the Emirates also didn’t seem to be the driving factor in Aubameyang's departure, instead it seems to be a simple case of the manager wanting him gone and getting his wish.

The fact that Arsenal didn’t receive a transfer fee for one of their most prized assets also speaks volumes even before Gabriel opened his mouth.
 

Analysis

Perhaps the most surprising element of Gabriel’s comments isn’t what he actually said, that seems to be simple confirmation of what many already suspected, more so the timing.

Arsenal have continued their charge on a top four place since Aubameyang headed for La Liga, winning all three Premier League games this month.

It is slightly baffling that the defender has chosen to speak about a player no longer involved in the rest of their season.

At a time when the ship is apparently sailing smoothly, Gabriel is potentially re-opening old wounds by talking about the departed skipper.

Arteta will have obviously be aiming to maintain dressing-room harmony rather than disrupt it but Gabriel’s comments suggest that there remains a niggle following such an abrupt departure. 

By saying “we all wanted him at Arsenal”, the implication is that the manager has gone against the wishes of his players.

This could be a defining moment in the manager's reign – if he comes away from the Auba saga with his leadership credibility at an even higher level, the boss will arguably be in a stronger position than at any other time.

However, if any members of the first-team echo Gabriel’s comments, Arteta may live to regret his very public fall-out with the former club captain.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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