Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang receives a good reception from Gunners fans if he returns to the Premier League from Barcelona.
Aubameyang was stripped of his captaincy last season before sealing a move to Barca, with further details of how the situation developed coming to light in Amazon s All Or Nothing documentary series.
In the latest episodes, released on Thursday, Arteta took strong action against Aubameyang after he returned late to training following a trip to Paris, setting in motion events that would lead to his departure.
The Amazon cameras also showed Arteta claimed to have record of numerous prior incidents of Aubameyang s indiscipline.
However, the Arsenal manager insisted on Friday he still has positive memories of the forward, who was the subject of much discussion as he emerges as a reported transfer target for rivals Chelsea.
It s a long time since that happened. I cannot go back each time there is a series. I have made my comments on that, Arteta said of Aubameyang s exit.
Auba x Henry
Where have we seen that celebration before?
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
What has been done has to defend the club and put it in the best possible position.
Auba is an exceptional player. He did so much for us. I hope he gets a good reception [if he comes back], because I think he deserves that.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel worked with Aubameyang previously at Borussia Dortmund and said of claims of his toxic influence at Arsenal: I experienced none of this.
This has nothing to do with the situation at Arsenal, which I also will not comment about out of respect, because it s not on me to comment. I don t know what happened.
In Dortmund, there was never an issue.
