Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reflects on his Arsenal career, a tumultuous relationship with Mikel Arteta, and lessons from decisions that shaped his footballing journey.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given an in-depth interview on his Arsenal career, including his relationship with Mikel Arteta, disciplinary controversies, and the emotional toll of that turbulent period.
Despite his incredible contributions, including leading Arsenal to an FA Cup triumph in 2020, Aubameyang revealed he had considered leaving the club before signing a contract extension—a decision he now believes went against his instincts.
Speaking to the Athletic, the Gabonese striker recalled a pivotal conversation with Arteta, who urged him to stay and build a legacy. “He said, ‘If you stay, you can be an icon, like the big names at Arsenal.’ I started to change my vision. He and the fans convinced me to stay. But at first, I wanted to leave,” Aubameyang said.
However, he admitted, “This is where it got chaotic, because when you go against your heart, maybe this is where I made my mistake.”
Tensions with Arteta escalated following a disciplinary breach in late 2021. Aubameyang returned late from a trip to France to support his unwell mother, a delay compounded by shifting COVID-19 protocols.
Arteta responded by stripping him of the captaincy and excluding him from the squad. Aubameyang described the fallout as deeply personal, stating, “He said I gave him a knife in his back; I don’t know why he said that. He knew why I flew and what I was going through. I was expecting help from him, not this.”
The breakdown in their relationship marked the beginning of the end of Aubameyang’s Arsenal career. He was left to train alone before departing for Barcelona in January 2022, a move he later said he was eager to push through.
Despite the acrimony, Aubameyang acknowledged the immense impact Arsenal had on his career and remains appreciative of the club’s fans. Reflecting on his time at the Emirates, he said, “I will always love Arsenal, always love the supporters. Even if I went to Chelsea.”
Today, Aubameyang is forging a new chapter in Saudi Arabia with Al Qadsiah, while maintaining his admiration for Arsenal’s current project under Arteta.
“They are missing something—a goalscoring machine,” he said. “Me,” he added with a smile.