London (AP) – After moving from Arsenal FC to FC Barcelona, striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang thanked the Gunners fans in an emotional Instagram post.
“Thank you for making London a home for me and my family,” Aubameyang wrote. “I’ve always been 100 per cent focused on giving my all for this club so it hurts to leave without a proper goodbye – but that’s football.”
The Gabonese switched from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal in January 2018 and won the Supercup and the FA Cup with the team in 2020. He has been team captain for the past two and a half years. Recently, however, a rift with coach Mikel Arteta was reported. According to the club, for “disciplinary reasons” the 32-year-old first lost his captain’s armband and then his regular place. Arsenal gave him a terse message.
“I’m sad that I haven’t had the opportunity to help my teammates over the past few weeks,” Auba wrote on Instagram, “but I have nothing but respect for this club and I really wish my boys and the fans the best and many successful years ahead.”