"I know something a little bit from inside" - Rafa Benitez reveals that he knew what happened behind the scenes about Arsenal manager Arteta falling out with superstar

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and former Gunners striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continue to be in the spotlight after their beef managed to regain attention recently. Commenting on the subject, former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez provided insights into what happened between the duo behind the scenes before their relationship totally broke down.

Following Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League yesterday, former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given spoke about situation, saying that Mikel Arteta is currently being rewarded for making the big decision to let go of the Gabonese superstar.

However, Rafa Benitez, who claimed to have 'inside' information about what happened between the duo at the Emirates Stadium, slightly countered Given's view by explaining that the Gunners boss indeed made an attempt to keep the striker in north London before things broke down.

“Aubameyang was a big decision," Shay Given told Benitez, as quoted by HITC. "He was the captain. He was the leading goalscorer. But, as a young manager, he made a big decision to get him out of the club and now he is kind of rewarded for it.”

Benitez, however, responded: “I will tell you something, because I know something a little bit from inside. I think he was trying to support the player, as much as he could. Then after he couldn’t, so he had to make a decision and that’s it."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta clashed last year due to disciplinary issues on the part of the player. That led to the tactician stripping the striker of his captain's armband and sidelining him for the team.

The Gabonese eventually decided to leave Arsenal in the winter transfer window, joining La Liga giants FC Barcelona on a free transfer. There, he managed to pick himself up, recording an impressive 14 goals and one assist to his name in 23 appearances across the league and the Europa League.

How Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta have fared since the striker's Arsenal departure

The Gabonese is back in the Premier League

After reviving his career at Camp Nou, Aubameyang managed to earn a transfer back to the Premier League this season, joining Chelsea in a deal worth €12 million during the summer transfer window. So far, he's bagged three goals for the Blues across all competitions this term.

Mikel Arteta, on the other hand, has succeeded in turning Arsenal into a formidable side in the Premier League since the campaign kicked off. As it stands, the Gunners are leading the race for the league title with 27 points in 10 games and four points above second-placed Manchester City.