The fallout surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the most anticipated elements of All Or Nothing Arsenal, and it hasn't disappointed.
The Gabonese striker was club captain at Arsenal until mid-season last year, when disciplinary issues caused him to be stripped of the armband.
Details surrounding the fallout and Aubameyang's ultimate departure from the club were scarce, but the latest episodes of All Or Nothing which dropped on Thursday revealed the drama surrounding his fall from grace at the Emirates.
It's a gripping watch and we have a recap of the best bits for you below.
All Or Nothing Arsenal Latest Episode: Dramatic Aubameyang fallout captured
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 and his first full season at the club in 2018-19 seemed to suggest he could help to catapult the club back to their previous heights. He took the Premier League golden boot that season, before scoring both goals in the 2020 FA Cup final victory for Arsenal.
Things quickly turned sour, however, and he left the club under a cloud in January and departed to Barcelona. He has been a moderate success with La Blaugrana, but rumours have recently linked him with a return to the Premier League with Arsenal's rivals Chelsea.
When the All Or Nothing Arsenal series launched on Amazon Prime Video, the behind-the-scenes look at the Aubameyang controversy was what we were most looking forward to.
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We were given a sneak peek on Wednesday of what was to come. An All Or Nothing teaser from Amazon showed the moment that manager Mikel Arteta notified the squad of the decision to strip Aubameyang of the captaincy.
Episodes 4-6 of All Or Nothing dropped on Thursday morning, and the Aubameyang situation was dealt with in detail.
Episode four opens with the inquest into Arsenal's last-minute defeat at Goodison Park last December, with fans and pundits questioning why Aubameyang was only subbed on with five minutes to go. Some, on the other hand, question the striker's poor form.
Narrator Daniel Kaluuya then reveals that Aubameyang travelled back to France immediately after the Everton defeat, in a trip which was pre-arranged with Arteta. He does not return to Arsenal on time.
READ HERE: Arteta Assistant Is The Unsung Hero Of Arsenal All Or Nothing
Arteta then spoke to the All Or Nothing film crew about the Aubameyang situation. He said that the indiscipline from "Auba" was a direct violation of his new contract at the club:
I was extremely happy when he decided to sign his contract. We agreed and set some objectives that we have to achieve together. I made some compromises of what I was happy to do and what he could expect from me, and I demand the same things to him.
Then, whether we are consistent or not with what we decided and what I wanted to install on day one. If someone doesn't do or breaks some of the non-negotiables, that's a really difficult point to get something back from.
When Aubameyang returns, the coaching staff instruct him to train on his own.
A striking conversation is picked up between Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny in the training centre while Aubameyang trains on his own. Holding explains the situation to Elneny, before both of the Arsenal players say that Arteta "had balls" and back up his decision.
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It is then that we hear from Aubameyang for the first time. Sitting in his car outside the training ground, he is asked whether he is coming back, to which he says "I'm here, brother." He then says that Arsenal had asked him if he would like to speak with them again, a request he seemingly denied, as he shrugs and laughs before driving away.
READ HERE: Watch: Erling Haaland Warned To Clean Up His Language In Post-Match Interview
Aubameyang is then left out of the matchday squad for the Premier League clash against Southampton. Arsenal would go on to win 3-0, with Arteta refusing to answer questions about Aubameyang post-match.
29 October 2020; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Arsenal and Dundalk at the Emirates Stadium in London, England. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Shortly after the Southampton game, Arteta holds the meeting seen in the All Or Nothing trailer, and reveals that Aubameyang will no longer be club captain.
In full, Arteta said:
I have to announce something. Following the last disciplinary issue that we had with Auba and the consequences that I decided to take not to involve him in the game, I thought carefully - myself and the club - what was the next step. We have decided as a club that he is no longer our captain. You should know that.
The other decision is that, for now, he is not involved in the squad. We'll make decisions further along the line.
We keep going as we are as a group right now, and we have to set ourselves even bigger aims and bigger standards. The club and myself are not going to accept any behaviour like this. What we are building goes completely against any behaviour like that.
We have to have meaning to change our culture and making sure we become a different club and team. We have to stand to those words clearly in every action, with anybody.
This is the message that I have to send you. I don't like the timing but I had to clear that up with you guys.
Arteta continued to deal with the media circus surrounding Aubameyang, coming out firing in the press conference and insisting that players' attitudes are the most important element of the team.
He is overheard speaking to a member of the backroom staff, saying:
He's been late - apart from all the issues - many times.
The club has a tradition. When you get paid that much money...
It turns out that Arteta's records of Aubameyang's previous indiscretions would be crucial. The episode then shows Arsenal's technical director Edu Gaspar and director of football Richard Garlick attempting to deal with the legal ramifications of Aubameyang being left out of training, and his past misdemeanours are brought up in that meeting.
The loss to Everton would turn out to be the last game Aubameyang played for Arsenal before departing for Barcelona.
It certainly seems from this episode of All Or Nothing that the majority of personnel at Arsenal were behind Mikel Arteta in his decision to discipline Aubameyang.
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