Soccer-‘I wish all my old guys well’ – Aubameyang clarifies Arteta remarks in leaked video

(Reuters) – Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang clarified his comments on Mikel Arteta after a video showed him criticising the Arsenal manager, saying that he had “a lot of bad feelings” for the north London club at that time but wishes them well now.

The video, which was leaked on social media, showed Aubameyang saying “Big characters and big players… he can’t deal with it. He needs some young players who don’t say anything” as the Gabon international spoke about Arteta.

Aubameyang said on Monday that the video was recorded just after he arrived at Barcelona, whom he joined in February on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Arsenal.

“At the time I still had a lot of bad feelings in me – Arsenal are doing great things this season and I wish all my old guys well,” tweeted Aubameyang, who signed for Chelsea in September.

“Just not on November 6,” he added, referring to Chelsea’s London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang had a fall-out with Arsenal and Arteta last season over disciplinary issues as he was first stripped of the captaincy before having his contract terminated.

The 33-year-old has scored once in the Premier League for Chelsea, who are fourth on 16 points after eight games.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)