Arsenal legend Ian Wright has told Mikel Arteta to ‘kill’ his bad blood with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and recall to the team immediately.
He also said that Granit Xhaka should be allowed to assume penalty duties in the absence of the Gabonese.
He said this following the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday night a few hours after Arteta stripped Aubameyang of the captaincy due to a disciplinary breach.
Arteta also kept the Gabon international from the team’s squad against Southampton and West Ham, with Alexandre Lacazette wearing the armband in his absence and assuming set-piece duties.
Lacazette missed from the spot, fluffing his chance to double Arsenal’s lead last night after being brought down inside the box by Vladimir Coufal.
Lukasz Fabianski’s save to deny Lacazette means Arsenal have now missed their last four penalties in the Premier League and Wright believes it’s become a concern for Arteta.
“If I’m being totally honest, it is a bit of a worry now because, obviously, Aubameyang’s not there to take them,’ he added.
“We saw Lacazette miss that one and he didn’t look very convincing so I don’t know what they’re going to do.
“I think [Nicolas] Pepe has taken a few and he’s nowhere on the pitch so it is a worry at the minute with Arsenal and penalties.
“We need to find somebody who is going to come up and put their foot through it.
“I’d love to see [Granit] Xhaka take a penalty.”
