Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were Arsenal’s top earners when Mikel Arteta took charge (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has applauded Mikel Arteta’s decision to get rid of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and believes the Spaniard’s ‘brave’ display of ruthlessness was ‘vital’ in paving the way for future success.
Ozil and Aubameyang were popular figures amongst the Emirates faithful – and Arsenal’s two highest earners – when Arteta took over the reins from Unai Emery back in December 2019.
However, Ozil found himself in and out of the side at the start of the 2019/20 season before being omitted from Arteta’s matchday squads for the opening fixtures of the following campaign, while also sitting out Arsenal’s Europa League group-stage matches.
The German World Cup winner – widely regarded as one of the finest playmakers of his generation – would go on to depart the Gunners for Fenerbahce in January 2021, before bringing an end to his playing career with Istanbul Basaksehir last year.
Aubameyang, meanwhile, was Arsenal’s captain when Arteta replaced Emery as head coach and the Gabon striker finished the 2019/20 campaign as the club’s top scorer with 29 goals in all competitions.
But Aubameyang’s relationship with Arteta broke down after a string of disciplinary breaches behind the scenes and the forward was stripped of the armband in December 2021 before swapping north London for Barcelona two months later.
‘I look back to Arteta’s decision to get rid of Aubameyang and Ozil and that was vital to what Arsenal are doing now,’ ex-Arsenal midfielder Parlour told Football365 while speaking at NetBet Sports Betting event.
Arteta has turned Arsenal’s fortunes around since taking over the reins in 2019 (Picture: Getty)
‘It was brave to do what he did, a tough decision. Guys like Aubameyang and Ozil would have been very powerful voices in the dressing room, I should imagine, but he set his stall out.
‘He knew the young players would have been looking up the experienced guys and if they were not following the rules, what chance would Arteta have with that?
‘When I was a player, the manager dictated everything, but now it is the players who are in control of a lot more and that makes it difficult for the guy calling the shots from the touchline.
Arsenal Invincible has applauded Arteta’s ‘brave’ decision to get rid of Aubameyang and Ozil (Picture: Getty)
‘The players are all on big money, long contracts, their families are happy where they are and it’s not easy to get rid of a player these days, but it has worked for Arteta after he got Aubameyang and Ozil out of the club.
‘Now you look at the team he has and they are young, hungry and he demands so much from them every week. He knows they are going to put the energy in and try their best, whereas in years gone by, some players would throw the towel in at Arsenal.
‘Even if they don’t win the league this season, Arteta has a young squad who are growing and the key part will be making sure he keeps all his best players, which isn’t always easy.
‘With the age of the team, they could be up there for the next four or five years if they stick together.’
The Gunners hold a one-point lead over Manchester City ahead of their trip to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
According to Parlour, the faith Arsenal showed in Arteta has been restored, with the club pushing Manchester City all the way in the race for the Premier League title this season.
‘You have to give managers time to put their ideas in place and that’s what Arsenal have done with Arteta,’ he added.
‘I look at Chelsea now and they are saying they might get rid of [Mauricio] Pochettino after one season, but that isn’t how it works. Managers don’t have a magic wand. It takes time.
‘There were a lot of people who wanted Arteta out at one point, but they are not saying that now. Changing a manager is not always the answer.
‘It’s the same with the owners as they can see something is happening now. I know Josh Kroenke very well and he can see that this manager and this team are getting close to winning the big trophies.
‘He is putting his money where his mouth is now and I don’t hear any more ‘Kroenke Out’ chants because the fans can see the owners are backing the club.
‘There was this theory that the Kroenke’s were more interested in other projects, but now Josh is much more involved in the running of Arsenal Football Club.
‘You can see that everyone was going in different directions and the atmosphere is much better on match days. Everything is positive at the moment, but the hardest bit is coming next. Getting over the winning line and winning the Premier League title.’
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