Country: England
There was absolutely zero need for sky sports to know that Arteta laid down the law tbh.I've been one of Arteta's staunchest critics, I feel justifiably and fairly. I don't see this as a powerplay at all. You cannot have your club captain repeatedly doing stupid things without consequence. Virtually everyone on this forum would agree that a total lack of discipline has been the biggest contributor to this club's downfall across 3 managers now. The inmates cannot be running the asylum. If the manger behaves like a meek little ***** and lets Auba walk all over him then that's the beginning of the end. Others will think they can straggle. A good manager is probably hardest on the star player to send the message that if they can be criticized and held to account, so shall everyone.
Let's not forget the violation of covid protocol all of 3-4 weeks ago. It's not a power play to draw a line in the sand when a player who occupies a role that should make him THE standard of professional behavior at the club starts taking the piss. Nobody needs a f*cking tattoo during a pandemic. That was stupid and embarrassing to the club. To then follow that up with apparent repeated lateness when you are the top earner and club captain is disgusting and you deserve to be embarrassed publicly.
You mention AMN and Nelson allegedly being repeat offenders and look and see where they are with relation to playing for this club. Professionalism is the absolute minimum that should be demanded from a footballer and when your captain decides that he doesn't need to uphold those standards then he also doesn't need to be shielded from the public embarrassment of there being consequences for his actions. You know how you avoid being embarrassed publicly? Being a f*cking professional and turning up to your job that pays you insane money on time. Very simple. More players seem capable of it than not.
The punishment was fine, but must win match where Arteta’s job is on the line, we don’t hear about this.
Dortmund isn’t brought up.
Captaincy isn’t brought up.
Auba’s tinfoiled lambo isn’t brought up.
Just my opinion.