Arsenal hero Emmanuel Petit says releasing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona was the right call.

The Gabon international joined Barcelona on a free transfer on Monday after his contract was terminated by Arsenal.

"Mikel Arteta did exactly what everyone expected with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," Petit told Gambling.com.

"I don't want to show disrespect for Aubameyang, because I believe he is a great player. But, for the last few months he hasn't been himself.

"Something has changed in his mind. I don't know if it's related to the club, the manager or the way he is living in his private life. But we were not seeing the same Aubameyang that we saw a couple of years ago.

"I believe Arteta made the right decision on Aubameyang and he made his mark in the dressing room with the choice he made..

"To leave your captain out of a game and then put him on the transfer market is a very strong message to your dressing room."