Gabriel Magalhaes has opened up on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure from Arsenal in January, suggesting the players wanted the striker to stay.
The Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-Arsenal saga ended after the striker left for Barcelona late in the January transfer window, after what seemed like a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta. There were no confirmed reports about the same, although the events leading up to his exit certainly pointed in that direction.
Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy after a disciplinary breach and never featured for the club after December 6. In that period, Arsenal stepped up their performances and became a major contender for a top-four finish, a direction in which they are still continuing after the 32-year-old’s exit.
The Gabonese striker blamed Arteta for his departure from Arsenal, as the manager made a hard decision to cut ties with the forward. Aubameyang has started life at Barcelona in flying style, scoring four goals in five appearances so far.
While the striker hopes to keep his goalscoring record intact, over in England, Arsenal are pushing hard to finish in the top four after securing a last gasp win over Wolves.
Aubameyang’s former teammate Gabriel Magalhaes has now opened up on the striker’s departure from the Emirates, suggesting he had a problem with the coaching staff and not his teammates. His comments on the Gabonese international’s departure, while speaking to the Oh My Goal YouTube channel, appeared on the Daily Mail.
Gabriel said, “Aubameyang is in my heart; we all wanted him at Arsenal. It’s something that happened between him and the coaching staff; the other players weren’t 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.”
Arsenal and Arteta received widespread criticism for not replacing their former captain adequately in the January window. At the same time, the Spanish manager was applauded by some sections for handling the situation well.
With Aubameyang having left the club and both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah likely to follow suit in the summer when their contracts expire, the Gunners will be revamping their entire strikeforce before next season.
