Adebayor slams Arsenal's unwillingness to 'forgive' in Aubameyang saga

Emmanuel Adebayor has blasted Arsenal’s treatment of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Ex-captain Aubameyang, 32, has not featured for the Gunners since early December after being stripped of the armband for a disciplinary breach.

The Gabon striker looks likely to leave North London this month with manager Mikel Arteta yet to reintroduce him to the first-team squad. 

But former Gunners forward Adebayor has suggested the problem lies with the club rather than the player after claiming they do not know how to forgive and move on.

The 85-cap Togolese international told Sky Sports: "I know he’s going through a lot, because that’s Arsenal for you.

"They never knew how to forgive, so I know he went through a lot. He’s a fantastic player, I wish him all the best — I’ve sent him a message already.

"We just want him to bounce back. Whether we like it or not, he’s an African brother and we want him to keep representing Africa the way he was doing before."

Adebayor played for Arsenal between 2006 and 2009, scoring 62 times in 142 games before joining Manchester City.

He is not remembered fondly by Gunners fans after infamously running the length of the field to celebrate a goal in front of travelling supporters in his first outing against his former club.

Having gone on to join Arsenal's bitter rivals Tottenham later in his career, there is no love lost between the player and fans.

Asked whether he thinks there is a way back for Aubameyang at the Emirates, Adebayor added: "I don’t think so, this is what I know because it happened to me also.

"I would be surprised [to see] a way back at Arsenal. But he’s a great player so let’s see how it ends up."

Aubameyang has a year remaining on the contract he signed with the Gunners during the summer of 2020.

Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the frontman.