Graeme Souness praises Mikel Arteta’s decision to strip the captaincy from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Graeme Souness has praised Mikel Arteta for ‘putting his foot down’ by stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy and said Arsenal had some ‘special players’ in Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. 

The former Borussia Dortmund striker was axed as Arsenal captain on Monday, on Monday, for what the club described as his ‘latest disciplinary breach’ after he returned late from a trip to France to visit his sick mum.

As reported by SportsMail on Thursday, the Gunners have since banished the 32-year-old from first-team training this week and Aubameyang could be left out in the cold until next year at least.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta received praise from Graeme Souness for stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy earlier this week

Speaking after Arsenal went fourth in the Premier League with a resounding 4-1 win away at Leeds, Souness said Arteta’s ruthless approach had paid off. 

‘That was a big moment for him. He’s a young manager and he’s put his foot down,’ he said on Sky Sports.

‘Prior to today’s game they [Arsenal] had a poor record away from home.’ 

The 32-year-old has been banished from Arsenal’s first-team training this week

Martinelli’s brace and Saka’s goal put Arsenal 3-0 up within 42 minutes at Elland Road, before Smith Rowe came off the bench in the second half to restore his side’s three-goal lead after Raphinha’s penalty had threatened to spark a comeback.

The trio have combined for nine goals and four assists in the Gunners’ last six outings and have become regulars in Arteta’s team and Souness believes they have a bright future ahead.

‘They will take confidence. In Saka and Martinelli, they’re both 20 years older. They’re both direct, they’re both quick, they can only get better, barring they don’t get serious injuries. 

Gabriel Martinelli scored a first half brace as Arsenal won 4-1 away at Leeds on Saturday

Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench to score his seventh league goal of the season

‘They’re special players. They’ll be a real asset to Arsenal. They’re two very promising young men.’ 

Speaking of Smith Rowe, who at 21 is a year older than Saka and Martinelli, Souness added:  

‘I think he’s going to be a player. He’s got all the assets you need to be a player at this level. He’s rapid, he gets his shots off and he can finish.’

‘I like him. When you watch him play, everything he does it at a sprint. He’s powerful, he can make a pass. I really like him.’