Carragher slaughters star subject of best decision Arteta has ever made at Arsenal as Chelsea suffer consequences

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Getting rid of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the decision Mikel Arteta has judged the best during his time as Arsenal manager, according to Jamie Carragher.

Aubameyang was back at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night as Chelsea visited for a Premier League match. Frank Lampard selected the striker in his starting lineup for the Blues. However, the ex-Arsenal captain was taken off at half time.

Aubameyang failed to register a single shot during his 45-minute cameo. He only touched the ball nine times – with four of those touches coming at kick-offs.

Indeed, Chelsea were 3-0 down by the break, which prompted interim head coach Frank Lampard to take off Aubameyang and send Kai Havertz on in his place.

Chelsea signed Aubameyang from Barcelona in September, just half a year after Arsenal had allowed him to leave for the La Liga giants.

His form for Barcelona was better, but the logic behind Chelsea’s purchase of him evaporated when they sacked Thomas Tuchel – previously Aubameyang’s coach at Borussia Dortmund – just days after the transfer.

Since then, Aubameyang has only scored once from 15 Premier League appearances in Chelsea colours. He did add two goals from six Champions League outings, before being removed from their squad list from that competition.

Therefore, he has become something of a burden for Chelsea, who have him under contract for another year.

Aubameyang exit ‘at the top of the list’ of Arteta’s best decisions

And according to Carragher, Aubameyang’s struggles have vindicated Arteta’s decision for Arsenal to let him go last year.

“It hasn’t gone well for Aubameyang, we’ve highlighted that,” Carragher said on commentary duties for Sky Sports.

“But when you think of all the things Mikel Arteta has done right since he’s been in charge at this club, right at the top of the list is getting rid of him.”

Aubameyang left Arsenal with a tally of 92 goals from 163 appearances. On the whole, it was a respectable output, but his form had deteriorated towards the end of his spell there.

Arsenal have since filled the void up front by raiding Manchester City to sign Gabriel Jesus, who was among their goalscorers against Chelsea (the match eventually finished 3-1 to the Gunners), perhaps rubbing salt into Aubameyang’s wounds.

The 33-year-old was linked with an exit from Chelsea over the winter, but wasn’t ready to leave European football behind amid interest from the MLS.

A return to Barcelona – where he scored 13 goals from 24 games in a short but sweet spell – would probably be Aubameyang’s preference if he was to leave Chelsea.

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