Dortmund coach, Peter Stöger, revealed ahead of the Bundesliga team’s clash against Freiburg on Saturday, that he included Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the squad because he wants to ‘make the most’ of the 28-year-old’s quality while their sporting director confirmed Arsenal still want him.

Despite being in the middle of a pretty dramatic transfer battle, Aubameyang played a full match against Freiburg for Dortmund on Saturday afternoon. Well, he was on the pitch at least.

Aubameyang managed just one off-target shot amongst his side’s 12 efforts and only one key pass in the full 90. He played just 14 passes and touched the ball just 19 times. No other player who started the match, including goalkeepers, touched the ball less.

Stöger said that he included the striker because the side want to make the most of his quality, which might suggest that they won’t be able to for much longer since Aubameyang could be off to Arsenal in a matter of days.

“Things have happened just as I always said they would happen over the last few days,” said the coach.

“If Auba trains well for the whole week, if he is in the right frame of mind and is focused, then you can’t imagine him not being in our squad. 

“Auba has trained very well this week, he has been totally focused and professional and he has always given the impression that he wants to do his utmost best for BVB against Freiburg.

“And because of this, of course we want to make the most of his quality.”

The striker hadn’t featured for his side since December 16 – before the winter break – when he scored against Hoffenheim.

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Although Aubameyang’s initial suspension was because failed to turn up to a team meeting, the Gabon international was then left out against Hertha last weekend because sporting director Michael Zorc felt he wasn’t focused enough to play.

Stöger’s inclusion of Aubameyang in the Dortmund squad isn’t just because they want their goalscorer on the pitch, it’s also a negotiation tactic, be in no doubt about that.

By implying that everything is fine between the club and player, and he’s back in the squad as if nothing ever happened, Dortmund can put pressure on Arsenal. The Gunners might assume that the chances of a deal being completed are moving further away, thus paying the German side whatever they want.

Speaking on Saturday, Zorc, admitted as much, saying, “We are prepared to implement a transfer under certain parameters, and only if these parameters are fully met.

“Arsenal have made several attempts so far [to sign Aubameyang] and they have all been rejected.

“Either our demands are fulfilled, then there can be another transfer, or they will not be fulfilled and Aubameyang will play in Dortmund until the summer.

“By the way, this has also been discussed with and accepted by the Aubameyang family.”

Dortmund drew 2-2 with Freiburg thanks to a last-minute goal from Jeremy Toljan.