Football is a cruel business in which being a nice guy is not enough to make you a success. Just ask Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international has been stripped of Arsenal captaincy and suspended from the first team by the Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta for a breach in discipline. Sign a mega-money deal, then perform below par: first Ozil, now Aubameyang – a contract curse at the EmiratesThese days, he’s training separate from the first team and the rest of the Arsenal team is having to adjust to working without the African forward. Arteta’s decision came under scrutiny because it’s very uncommon to leave out your captain. However, the latest results suggest that the team as a whole has benefited from the shakeup.Defender Ben White said that the team misses Aubameyang as a character – but in terms of football, it’s working well so far.”It hasn’t really looked it on the scoresheet. We’ve been playing well. Obviously, it’s disappointing for Auba but we’ve all got our heads down and we’re working hard. He’s a really nice guy, we all miss him, but it is what it is.”It is what it is.🗣Ben White on the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang situation: “Obviously it’s disappointing for Auba but we’ve all got our heads down and we’re working hard. He’s a really nice guy, we all miss him, but it is what it is.” 👀🔴#Arsenal pic.twitter.com/vVCgnJj2nx— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) December 24, 2021 White’s comments are a good reminder that a team is more than just a squad of players. Sometimes, you need to make drastic moves to improve the team – even if it means taking a proven goalscorer out of the side. Arteta deserves credit for showing bravery and determination. Arsenal have been relying on “good guys” for a long time without a satisfactory outcome. A bit of discipline and authority was needed to tighten things up and get the Gunners firing again.We have no doubt that Auba is still a nice guy – but he has a lot to do to get back into the first-team picture at Emirates Stadium.
