Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang breaks silence after disciplinary action to celebrate derby win

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Emirates Stadium
PA

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has broken his silence after being dropped and disciplined by the club with seven words to celebrate Sunday’s win over Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta said he axed his skipper to sustain Arsenal's long-term "foundation" - the striker understood to have been late to a pre-match meeting - meaning Alexandre Lacazette started and scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Arteta was always the consummate professional whenever he pulled on an Arsenal shirt and in punishing Aubameyang for a "breach of protocol" by leaving him on the bench, the rookie manager showed he expects nothing less from his players.

It was a brave call by Arteta who could have been castigated by the fans had Arsenal not recovered from conceding an Erik Lamela wonder strike to win 2-1 with goals by Martin Odegaard and Lacazette’s penalty.

A vibrant display also proved Arsenal can prosper without their skipper, who apparently took his medicine in good faith, later posting on social media: "North London is red, and that's it!"

Arteta has confirmed that Aubameyang is available for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Olympiacos.

“I said it before the game, I draw the line, it’s done,” Arteta told the BBC.

“We move to the thing. He is available for selection and let’s enjoy the victory.”

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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