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Joe Cole backs Mikel Arteta's decision to strip £350,000-a-week star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the Arsenal captaincy as he insists it's 'sacrilege for players to be late' and fans 'would go through walls to wear that shirt'

Joe Cole believes Mikel Arteta was 'right' to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal's captaincy with immediate effect because players reporting late to training and matches is 'sacrilege'.

Arsenal confirmed the £350,000-a-week striker had been relieved of the armband following his 'latest' disciplinary breach last week, which saw him return back late from France after collecting his sick mother.

It marked a third disciplinary breach from the Gabonese striker and for former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Cole, it was correct call from Arteta.

Aubameyang headed back to France last week to visit his mother, who has been unwell

'I think it's a brave decision but I think it's the right decision,' Cole told BT Sport.