JOE COLE has backed Mikel Arteta’s decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the Arsenal captaincy.
The forward had the armband taken off him after his latest disciplinary breach, which saw him return late back from France with his mother.
And Premier League icon Cole agrees with Arteta‘s decision to set an example to his young squad.
Cole told BT Sport: “I think it’s a brave decision but I think it’s the right decision.
“This wouldn’t have been the first incident and when I look at (Patrick) Vieira, (Tony) Adams, etc, they had problems, which were well documented, but they were leaders.
“I was never comfortable with Aubameyang in that leadership group.
“There are a lot of people in this stadium that would go through walls to wear that Arsenal shirt. I think it’s sacrilege for players to be late, I really do.”
Arsenal did just fine of Wednesday without Aubameyang as they comfortably beat an injury-stricken West Ham 2-0 at the Emirates.
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The Gunners leapfrogged the Hammers to take fourth spot thanks to goals by Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe.
And stand-in captain Alexandre Lacazette was hailed by his boss after the game for his selfless display.
Arteta said: “Alexandre is the next in line and he is taking it the way everybody saw, with such pride and commitment.
“I am really happy with the way he played. Absolutely he has embraced the captaincy, but Laca has always been like that in the dressing room.
“You see the way he acts with the young players, his willingness to help. It’s in his nature, he is not a selfish player, he is happy to make the rest better.”
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