Mikel Arteta hits back at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after claims over Arsenal fallout

Mikel Arteta has responded to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's suggestion the the Arsenal manager was the "only problem" in the breakdown of their relationship that eventually sparked the forward's exit.

The 32-year-old Gabon international joined Catalan giants Barcelona on transfer deadline day, agreeing to take a drastic pay cut from his eye-watering Arsenal contract to bring his time in north London to an end.

He left north London under acrimonious circumstances after a fall-out with his manager in early December which prompted Arteta to strip Aubameyang of the club captaincy and exile him from the first-team fold.

Pressed on whether Arteta was the sole reason behind his decision to leave Arsenal, Aubameyang pointed the finger squarely at the Spaniard.

He told reporters at his Barcelona unveiling: "I think it was only with him and then he took this decision, he wasn’t happy and that’s it. I was calm."

Just over a week later, Arteta has responded during his media duties with the Gunners ahead of their midweek trip to Wolves.

Addressing the situation for the first time, the Spaniard's comments started nicely enough as he explained: "I'm extremely grateful for what Auba has done at the club, for his contributions since I got here.

He did however sign off with a not-so-subtle dig at the former Gunners striker, "The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem."

The Arsenal boss was grilled for a further comment on Aubameyang's initial remarks, but simply claimed: "That's his opinion. We have to respect that."

After providing the Emirates faithful with some wonderful moments, Aubameyang tarnished his legacy with his final act at the club.

The forward was last seen in an Arsenal shirt in early