Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism from former gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – insisting his current squad is more ‘hard-working’ than in previous years.
Arteta was asked about Aubameyang’s comments in a viral that he can not handle big players in his squad.
“People are free to discuss what they want,’ he told reporters in Norway.
“I have never been in a better dressing room (than this season) – more enjoyable, more hard-working, a better relationship between staff and players and it is an absolute pleasure as a coach to be a part of this group.”
Arteta has however said he is focused on his next game for Arsenal and ‘people are free’ to discuss what they desire about him.
“What we are thinking is how we are going to win the game, that is it.”
Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona in February, his contract torn up having not been in and around the first-team after Arteta dropped him as the skipper of his side for returning late from an agreed break.
His stint in Spain lasted just seven months before he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea and a video emerged in recent days of the Gabon forward slating Arteta’s management skills.
He was heard in the video saying, “To manage big characters or big players, he (Arteta) can’t deal with it.”
Aubameyang took to social media on November 6 to explain his comments, writing part of a tweet which read: ‘Aware there is a video out that was recorded just after I arrived at Barca.
This followed after multiple Arsenal fans critized him and labelled him disrespectful towards the gunners coach.
