Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of his most important players.
Arteta dropped his captain to the bench for Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham a "breach of pre-match protocol".
The Gunners claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over their fierce rivals without their star striker, but Arteta has no doubts about Aubameyang's place at the club.
"He is an incredible guy and one of the most important players in the team," Arteta told Sky Sports.
"He is our captain and these things happen. We have lots going on in our lives and people finding it hard with the restrictions. I will never tell anything that happens in the dressing room."
