Arsenal news: Piers Morgan slams ‘terrible’ call to axe Aubameyang after Barcelona treble | Football | Sport
Piers Morgan has hit out at Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s board for allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Barcelona in January – after the Gabonese international scored a hat-trick on his first La Liga start for Barcelona on Sunday.
Aubameyang played just 14 times in the Premier League this season for Arsenal, scoring four goals for the Gunners in the process.
His last game came against Everton on December 6, where he missed a last-minute sitter to save his side a point in a 2-1 loss.
But since then, he was dropped by Arteta for a spate of “problems”.
In a bid to spare themselves some money on his £350,000-per-week contract, the club decided to let him join Barcelona on a free – meaning they save £25million on what would have been the rest of his 18-month deal.
However, despite his poor performances in the league for Arsenal, he turned his form around with a hat-trick in Barcelona’s 4-1 demolition of Valencia on Sunday.
And famous Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has berated the sale, claiming it was a ‘terrible decision’.
“Thrilled for @Auba. Furious with @m8arteta for giving him away to do this elsewhere. What a terrible, TERRIBLE decision,” Morgan said on Twitter.
Aubameyang was also heralded by manager Xavi Hernandez for his attitude.
Arteta had omitted Aubameyang from the club for his spate of disciplinary issues, calling him ‘the problem’ at the club.
But Xavi’s comments show that Aubameyang is extremely committed to his new club.
“He is training very well, he needs stronger sessions. He is already one hundred per cent and we will see him play for sure,” Xavi said.
“He’s a player who can make a difference, he works well in spaces and makes good runs into the area.
“He’s put in performances in recent years that have been very good. I’m very happy with him, he’s working positively in our group, and he’s very professional.”
Barcelona play Napoli in the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.
Xavi’s side drew 1-1 at home to the southern Italian side last Thursday.
