Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking after the club announced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the captain's armband. 

The 32-year-old forward was dropped for discplinary reasons ahead of the 3-0 victory over Soouthampton at the weekend. 

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta left him out after he returned from France a day later than agreed. He was given permission to go abroad on Wednesday to collect his sick mum. 

He had agreed to return on Wednesday night but flew back on Thursday morning. Aubameyang also missed training as he had to wait for a negative PCR result. 

Speaking on Tuesday lunchtime ahead of the Gunners clash with West Ham at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, Arteta said: "It was a decision we made after the last incident with the player...with [Aubameyang speaking to ]both the club and myself face to face. He had to accept it.

"It is a really unpleasant situation.

"For now he is not involved in the squad...it has been a lot to digest, it has been a really difficult decision...we need a bit of time to heal."

On the dressing room's reaction to the news, Arteta said they had to 'accept it'.

The Gunners boss also confirmed that: "Hopefully everyone will be available and fit," for the Premier League clash against the Irons.