Mikel Arteta has discussed his demands for ‘respect and commitment’ at Arsenal amid comparisons between former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang and Mesut Ozil.
Aubameyang faces an uncertain future at the north London side after being stripped of the captaincy following a disciplinary breach, with the forward having been omitted from the Gunners’ squad for the past three Premier League fixtures.
The Gabon international’s situation has been compared to former star Mesut Ozil, who found himself ostracised at the Emirates whilst on a lucrative long-term contract.
Aubameyang has been linked with an exit during the January transfer window, but the 32-year-old’s huge wages – like Ozil – could provide a stumbling block to a potential exit.
“I don’t establish my authority by being dictatorial or being ruthless,” Arteta said. “I just ask for one thing: respect and commitment. At this level, if I don’t get that I pack my bags and go somewhere else because that is the minimum I can ask for.
“I am going to expect that from everybody who works for the club, first of all myself. To be successful you have to be passionate about something and, if you want to represent a club of this size, that is the minimum standard you have to bring.
“I am not going to ask anybody to put the ball into the top corner every time they hit it, but I will ask them to do the right things every single day for this club.”
