Broadcaster and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan took aim at Mikel Arteta over the manager's decision to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave the club, after the Gabonese forward scored twice in his first Clasico for Barcelona.
Aubameyang left Arsenal by mutual consent at the end of the winter transfer window, meaning the Gunners didn't receive a fee for the 32-year-old when he moved to Camp Nou. And the goals away to Real Madrid were his eighth and ninth for his new club as his impressive start continues.
The tally took Aubameyang past what he managed in 15 Arsenal appearances this season. And, despite three points against Aston Villa on Saturday cementing Arteta's side in the top four, Morgan still took time out to find fault with the Spaniard's decisions.
"A free transfer." Morgan seethed in a tweet after Aubameyang opened the scoring. "WE GAVE HIM AWAY".
"Another brilliant goal by @Auba - this time in El Clasico," he wrote in a separate post. "He’s been the world’s most lethal goal machine since joining Barcelona… and with every goal he scores, he makes Arteta look more absurd for giving him away."
Morgan also praised the former Borussia Dortmund striker's "brilliant back-heel assist" for the third goal of the evening, scored by Ferran Torres. And when it was 4-0 before the hour mark, with Aubameyang on target again, the former Good Morning Britain host attempted to twist the knife.
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"UPDATE: Aubameyang scores again in El Clasico," Morgan wrote. "Two goals & one assist so far, and it’s still only the 53rd minute. You watching @m8arteta???"
When pressed on the matter, with one fan pointing to Aubameyang's struggles in his final days in north London, Morgan didn't back down. "A manager’s job is to manage great talent & get the best out of them, not drive them out of the club," he said.
"I’m enjoying watching @Auba work his magic for Barca, whilst remaining incredulous & furious that Arsenal gave away such a wonderful world class striker," he continued. "Trust the process, my a*se."
The game ended 4-0, with Aubameyang making way for Memphis Depay midway through the second period. Barcelona moved up to third with the victory, further increasing the likelihood that they end up playing Champions League football next season.
Aubameyang had fallen out with Arteta before the turn of the year, playing his final Gunners game two months before his Barca debut. And, in the weeks since, more hints about the disagreements between the pair have risen to the surface.
"A difficult few months," Aubameyang had said at his Barcelona unveiling. "I've never wanted to do anything wrong, it's in the past."
"Yeah, I think [the problem] was just with [Arteta]." I can't say much, he wasn't happy, I stayed calm and that's it."
While Barcelona have thrived with Aubameyang in their ranks, Arsenal have continued to impress without their former skipper. The win at Villa Park was enough of them to end the weekend three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur four clear of Manchester United, having played a game fewer than both their rivals.
