Arteta urges Arsenal fans to respect Aubameyang during Chelsea clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged the club’s supporters to pay their former striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they play Chelsea on Tuesday night in the Premier League.

Aubameyang is returning to his former home for the first time since a bitter split with Arteta saw him depart to Barcelona in February 2022.

He returns at a time The Gunners have found their form and are still in the race to fight for the title against a blistering-hot Manchester City.

Arteta acknowledged the effort the Gabonese put in during his time with the Gunners and asks the fans to respect him for that.

“They need to thank him and pay respect and gratitude for what he was,” Arteta said before adding that “he was an incredible player who scored a lot of goals for us and was our captain and he deserves that.”

The 33-year-old won the FA Cup in 2019-20, Community Shield in 2020 and a Europa League runner-up finish in 2018-19.

Arsenal will hope to pile more pressure on Frank Lampard’s Blues as they seek to return to the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners have 75 points and are currently trailing City by a Point.