Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a parting insult to Arsenal in the days before his contract was terminated 18 months early.
In particular, it was a breakdown in his relationship with Mikel Arteta that paved the way to Aubameyang's premature departure from the club. Despite a promising start to life in north London, the pair's relationship took a turn for the worse that ended with a crushing final blow.
After Arsenal's victory in the 2020 FA Cup, wherein Aubameyang played a key role, his performances began to decline. Notably in early 2021, he failed to participate in a north London derby due to traffic delays. He would later need to step back from team duties after his mother fell ill.
Arteta, meanwhile, grew increasingly displeased with the player when he returned from France a day later than scheduled. He was further delayed by Covid-19 protocols despite being club captain at the time - and that proved to be a step too far by Arteta's standards.
Speaking to Colinterview (via Football.London), Aubameyang recalled: "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.'
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"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 and Mikel Arteta's relationship at Arsenal ended in sour fashion (SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The pressure on Aubameyang to lead by example was perhaps greater given the fact he was captain and earning £350,00-a-week at the time. However, he was soon relieved of the armband and found himself training alone.
The player also attracted negative press ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations when he was sent home for disciplinary reasons. Aubameyang and team-mate Mario Lemina were spotted partying and breaking Covid-19 protocols on the eve of the tournament, though the former insisted the premature exit was based on medical grounds.
But the final insult to Arsenal was still to come as Aubameyang took his fate into his own hands in an attempt to secure an Emirates Stadium exit. The veteran flew to Barcelona prior to any agreement on his transfer, without either club being appraised of his plans.
Aubameyang looked back to his best at Barca before an ill-fated Chelsea spell (Eric Alonso/Getty Images)It worked a treat considering his Arsenal contract was torn up in February 2022, 18 months before it had been due to expire. He promptly penned terms with Barca, where he went on to revive his form and net 13 goals in 23 matches.
"Once again, [Arteta] explains why he is against me during this period when it was complicated for the club," Aubameyang said of his final conversation with Arteta. "That I have to be an example and that I couldn't do that [return late]. At that moment, I said, 'I admit that I have my share of responsibility, but the real cause I think you can understand if you are a little bit human. You can understand my move.' After that, it was over, I stayed for a month training on my own while waiting for the break."
Around this time, Aubameyang turned to booze to cope with the depression prompted by such a "difficult passage" in his career. Aubameyang admitted: "It affects a man, it was difficult. How to get out? Often we say that we have to talk about it, there's no shame in that."
Things have worked out well for everyone involved in the long run, at least. Aubameyang is back on form in a leading role at Marseille while Arsenal have emerged as title contenders under Arteta - yet their last days together were far from peaceful as a once sparkling bond turned sour.
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