“Many moments that I want to remember forever” - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang speaks up on his stint with Barcelona
In a recent interview, former Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened up about his time with the club. The Gabonese star spent six months with the Spanish giants after leaving Arsenal in 2022.
Aubameyang played 1522 minutes of football for Blaugrana across 24 games, pitching in with 13 goals and an assist before he was sold for €12 million to Chelsea.
Reflecting on his time in Catalonia, the well-traveled forward told FRBARCA (via Barca Blaugranes):
"If I had to choose one stage of my career as a footballer, I would choose the one at Barça. There are many moments that I want to remember forever, but I would choose above all the affection of the culers."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now plays for Saudi pro-League outfit Al-Qadsiah after he joined them for €9m, two years after leaving Barcelona. The 35-year-old has bagged five goals across 10 appearances for them so far.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opens up on the clash that led to Barcelona move
Former Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang revealed the details of his bust-up with Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta which led to his departure. The Gabon international was dropped by the Gunners boss in 2021 after he arrived late ahead of the north London derby. He reportedly got stuck in traffic while returning after a visit to his ill mother.
Aubameyang had played a vital role in leading the club to FA Cup glory in the 2019/20 season. That was the last piece of major silverware the Gunners have won.
Speaking about what Arteta said, Aubameyang told Colininterview (via GOAL):
“I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears into me, he shouts at me like I'm crazy, he says: 'You put a knife in my back. You can't do that to me given the times we're going through'. At that moment I tell myself that I'm not going to answer him because it's going to end angrily. I didn't go partying.
"He knows very well the reason for my departure, so at that moment, I don't understand why he is lecturing me like this. I go home and the doctor calls me and says, 'Tomorrow, the coach doesn't want you to be there.' I said 'OK', I knew the next match was coming and I said to myself, 'Damn once again everyone is going to talk about it, it's going to be a mess, what is this crazy thing?' I couldn't understand it.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club on a free transfer in the January window of that season to join Spanish giants Barcelona. He made 163 appearances for the Gunners and scored 92 goals while providing 21 assists.