Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy

Arsenal have stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the club captaincy after his "latest disciplinary breach".

The Gabon striker, who was dropped for Saturday's 3-0 Premier League win over Southampton, will not be considered for Wednesday's game against West Ham.

"We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed," read an Arsenal statement.

Aubameyang, 32, was also dropped for disciplinary reasons in March.

On that occasion, he missed the win over rivals Tottenham for a "breach of pre-match protocol".

This time, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not disclosed how Aubameyang broke the rules, but The Athletic reported that he returned late from an authorised trip abroad.

"We have been very consistent, that we have certain non-negotiables in the team that we have set ourselves as a club," said Arteta after the Southampton match.

"Whatever happens in the dressing room, I cannot share. From my side, I will never say what the breach was."

Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal for £56m from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, signed a new three-year contract last year.

This season he has scored only four Premier League goals in 14 games and none since 22 October.

Arsenal are sixth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.