Rio Ferdinand believes that the decision to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has worked out well for both the player and Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal agreed to mutually terminate their former captain's contract on transfer deadline day after his extended absence from Arteta's side following a disciplinary breach in December.
As there was no way back for him at the club, it was seemingly the best option to part ways with the Gabonese striker - a decision that has worked out well for both player and Arteta, according to Ferdinand at least.
Aubameyang has already found the net five times since signing for La Liga giants Barcelona, whilst Arsenal look set to take control in the race for top four.
Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast, via the Mirror: "I just feel he [Aubameyang] looks happy again.
"I saw him at Arsenal for a number of months where he just didn’t look happy.
"People undervalue and underestimate how important your happiness is when you’re a footballer or any job that you’ve got to have that element of happiness and fulfilment and he just wasn’t having that at Arsenal.
"Both have benefited from him leaving. Arteta has got even more of a stranglehold on the squad, more respect, they know where they stand now, there’s a line that they don’t go beyond, we don’t know the details of that."
Ferdinand continued by claiming that Arteta will have proven his point if the Gunners manage to qualify for the Champions League next season - as they are on course to do.
"Nobody has doubted the rate at which he’s [Aubameyang] always scored goals in his career.
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"There’s obviously something that’s gone on behind the scenes where Mikel Arteta has said ‘I’m not having that you’re going to have to go’.
"It’s worked out for each other. If Arsenal finish fourth Arteta is totally justified in what he’s done."
