Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has questioned Mikel Arteta ‘s decision to haul Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off in Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The Gunners took the led through Emile Smith Rowe before Bruno Fernandes swept United level. Cristiano Ronaldo nudged the hosts into the lead shortly after the break, only for Martin Odegaard to fire back almost instantly. Ronaldo grabbed his second goal of the night from the penalty spot to clinch the points for United, who were watched by new interim boss Ralf Rangnick for the first time.
Arteta made a double switch in the 79th minute, bringing on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah to try and get back into the game.
But in doing so, the Gunners boss sacrificed his captain – something that irked Henry, despite Aubameyang’s recent torrid form in front of goal.
“Aubameyang is your captain. He is your goal scorer,” said Henry, who cut a bemused figure after the game.
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“You put him as your captain. 15 minutes to go, you’re losing 3-2 and you take him off. 3-2 away from home, you need a goal and you take your captain, your symbol, off the field. You know he can score you goals so something is not right there.”
It’s now been five games since Aubameyang last found the net as the Gunners form has spluttered slightly, with defeats to Liverpool and now United in recent weeks.
Despite the disappointing result, Arteta made no excuses for his side – but did insist that Arsenal have already “come a long way” from the recent defeat at Anfield.
“It is what it is. If you concede three goals at Old Trafford it is difficult to get a result. I was disappointed with the goals that we conceded,” admitted Arteta after the game.
“We’ve come a long way since the game at Anfield. We were able to maintain higher periods for longer. When we were in control we had a better structure and created chances. When it was 2-2 we needed to build momentum to get the win.
“There were a lot of things that I liked In the game. I liked the behaviour of individuals. When you score two goals at Old Trafford you expect to get something from the game and that is a regret, but that is our fault. When you see the game you would say we deserved more but that is what happens against this quality of opponent.”
Arsenal took the lead in bizarre fashion, with Smith Rowe slamming the ball into the net after David de Gea had gone down following a collision with Fred.
And Arteta was keen to avoid discussing the incident too much after the narrow reverse at Old Trafford.
“I’ve never seen anything like that, no. That is the decision from the referee and VAR checked it and it was a goal,” he added.
The result means Arsenal remain just outside of the top four; just a place and a point behind West Ham.
The Gunners have a chance to bounce back from their Old Trafford disappointment when they travel to Everton on Monday night.
Thierry Henry points finger at Mikel Arteta over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang treatment
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