Gabriel has revealed that he didn’t want Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave Arsenal, that he loves him and he is ‘in my heart’.

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (CR) jokes with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (CL) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (CR) jokes with Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (CL) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 1, 2020. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

With an irreparable split between Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta, Auba’s form tanked at Arsenal and he was shipped out of the club for free in order to get his wages off the books.

With four goals in five games for Barcelona, at the time of writing, many are suggesting to Arsenal were wrong to sell him.

That, of course, leaves aside the fact that Auba was clearly not happy and, therefore, unable to produce the form he has shown already in Spain.

If you remember, Aubameyang scored eight and assisted three in his first 11 games with Arsenal. The start of his career at a club has never been the problem, it’s what happens at the end.

“I don’t want to talk about it…,” Gabriel told ‘Oh my goal’ when he was asked about the former Arsenal captain.

“Aubameyang is in my heart, we all wanted him at Arsenal.

“Something happened between him and the coaching staff, the other players were not in it.

“I said goodbye to him before he left, I hope he enjoys Barcelona, ​​he is a very nice person with a big heart and I love him very much.”

Aubameyang admits he’s still watching Arsenal matches

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he isn’t forgetting his friends in his previous teams, and he watched Arsenal beat Brentford at the weekend.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates a goal for Barcelona (Photo via Aubameyang on Instagram)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates a goal for Barcelona (Photo via Aubameyang on Instagram)

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got off the mark on the goalscoring front for new club Barcelona at the weekend.

Making his fourth appearance for Barcelona, Aubameyang scored his first goal, then his second, then his third to complete a hat-trick.

It was certainly the striker’s day, as the third goal saw a shot deflect off his back and into the net. But it keeps his strong form at the Mestalla going, after he scored a hat-trick there for Arsenal as well.

On a successful weekend with his new club, Aubameyang says he hasn’t forgotten his old one, nor his old friends.

“I have many friends in my previous teams, I don’t forget them,” Aubameyang said. “Whenever I can, I watch their games, for example, Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing for Barcelona (Photo via Aubameyang on Instagram)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing for Barcelona (Photo via Aubameyang on Instagram)

Aubameyang always seemed to get on well with the young players at Arsenal, so he would have been pleased to see Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe getting on the scoresheet in the win, as well as his good friend Alexandre Lacazette providing an assist.

The hope is that Aubameyang’s transfer will prove a positive move for all parties.

Aubameyang is already back in the goals, which obviously benefits Barcelona, whilst Arsenal have been able to put the situation behind them and start winning games again.

Come summer, Arsenal won’t need to worry about how a new striker fits in the squad or in the wage bill, as all of this season’s centre-forwards will likely be gone.

The only question is whether the Gunners can continue to do without Aubameyang’s goals in the meantime.