was handed his first start since November in ’s away clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The 33 year-old for the first time since leaving Arsenal for Barcelona as a free agent in February 2022.
Aubameyang was a fan favourite amongst Gooners, scoring 68 goals in almost 130 appearances during his four year stay with the club.
But why exactly did Aubameyang leave Arsenal 15 months ago? Let’s take a look at the circumstances surrounding his acrimonious departure.
Why did Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave?
Speaking at his unveiling with the Spanish giants last year, Aubameyang suggested his departure from the Emirates was predominantly down to manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gabon international said: ‘I think it was a problem just with him [Arteta]. I can’t really tell you much.
‘He wasn’t happy and that was it. I can’t say anything else because that’s what happened. I wasn’t very happy and I’m better this way.
‘There were some complicated months. Sometimes football is like that. If I had to say something about this, I would say, on my behalf, I never wanted to do anything bad.’
His move from the Gunners came just weeks after Aubameyang was , with the final straw coming after he returned to London late from a trip abroad.
Arteta was keen to play down any suggestion of a rift between himself and his former player, praising him for his contribution to the club.
Asked for his view on Aubameyang’s comments, Arteta responded: ‘It’s his opinion. That’s his opinion, that is what he said and you have to respect that.
‘I am grateful for what Auba has done at the club and his contribution since I have been here. The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem.
‘What I am saying is that I’ve been this solution, 100 per cent, I can look in the eye of anybody. I do lot of things wrong, for sure. But the intention all the time is the best – and not for me, it is for the club and for the team.
‘I think it ended up in the best possible way for everybody. I think when things change, and the context changes and this is part of football. We had different meetings and the decision was taken collectively between the player, the club and agent.’
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