Aubameyang: FC Barcelona “chance of a lifetime” – Arteta blamed at Arsenal

Presentation of the ex-BVB striker

In 2015, as a Borussia Dortmund professional, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dreamed of the “Royals”. “I want to break the 20 league goal mark because I hope to play for Real Madrid one day. I’ve always dreamed of Spain,” said the Gabonese at the time. A year later, the 32-year-old said: “I like Madrid better than Barcelona and Real a little more than Atlético.” After his recent winter transfer from Arsenal to Barça, Aubameyang was very enthusiastic about his new employer.

The attacker (quoted via “Mundo Deportivo”) said during his presentation to the Catalans that he “lives in a dream” from which he “hopefully won’t wake up”. Aubameyang revealed: “I always dreamed of playing in LaLiga. This is an incredible opportunity. This is the chance of a lifetime.” The ex-BVB striker received a contract until June 2025, which includes an option for an early change in the summer of 2023. In addition, an exit clause of 100 million euros was stipulated. Arsenal, who received no transfer fee, had to pay their ex-captain nearly £7m to end his lucrative £350,000-a-week contract, according to The Times.

According to Aubameyang, he plans to stick to his maximum contract term. “Of course I hope that I can stay in Barcelona for many years.” He will “work hard” for it. The professional planned as a center forward (“Xavi sees me as number 9”) feels ready to go after four years and 92 goals in 163 games for Arsenal. “I think I’ve been very lucky to play in the Premier League. I’m ready and can’t wait to start.” And that’s despite the fact that it’s been “a long time” since he played a game.

FC Barcelona brought in Arsenal’s ex-captain Aubameyang at the last minute

Aubameyang’s transfer was only bagged on the home straight, Barça President Joan Laporta revealed that the necessary documents arrived a minute before the transfer deadline. “It’s been a very long day, it’s been crazy. We signed two minutes before the end. I was at my dad’s house waiting for everything to go well,” said the new signing, who is now at a club in the fifth European top division (he only played for Milan in Italy when he was young). . “They (Barcelona; ed.) called me in the afternoon to have me checked out and I was very happy. There was a bit of stress at the end, but everything was fine.”

Aubameyang, who is aiming for the Champions League title with the Blaugranas, found himself at odds with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who stripped him of the captaincy. The offensive man spoke of “difficult months”, but does not want to have identified responsibility. The problem is to be found with Arteta. “Yeah, I think it was just him. I can’t say much, he wasn’t happy, I stayed calm and that’s it,” Aubameyang said (quoted via “London Evening Standard”).

To home page