"In the Champions League before Arsenal" - Fans react to Aubameyang's move to Chelsea
FT Desk
- 2 Sept 2022 09:35 BST
- 6 min read
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed a late move to Chelsea last night, ending a short but successful stint at Barcelona, having only joined them in January.
The deal was completed after weeks of negotiations between the two clubs, with Thomas Tuchel keen to add another forward to his ranks for the rest of the season.
Chelsea sold the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner over the summer, and Raheem Sterling was the only attacking signing, requiring the need for another forward player to come in.
The signing has proven to be a slightly controversial one, given Aubameyang’s previous history with Arsenal, where he was widely appreciated for his efforts for the club.
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Aubameyang returns to London
Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018 and was Arsene Wenger’s final signing at the Gunners before the legendary Frenchman’s departure from the club.
He scored 92 goals in 163 games for the club and had a huge role in helping Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2020 – Mikel Arteta’s first and only trophy with the Gunners.
The former Gabon international left the club in January of this year after several disciplinary breaches and being stripped off his captaincy, and his contract was terminated on deadline day of that month’s transfer window.
Players to play for both Chelsea and Arsenal this century:
◎ Emmanuel Petit
◎ William Gallas
◎ Ashley Cole
◎ Lassana Diarra
◎ Petr Čech
◎ Cesc Fàbregas
◎ Yossi Benayoun
◎ David Luiz
◎ Willian
◎ Olivier Giroud
◉ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Lured back to London. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/jFOWaWHwDy— Squawka (@Squawka) September 2, 2022
Arsenal fans can console themselves with being top of the league (for now), but when Aubameyang starts banging them in for Chelsea, I wonder whether it’ll sting them to reflect on how many of their best players go on to sign for PL rivals. Couldn’t bear it!
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) September 1, 2022
Aubameyang pulling off a Giroud against Arsenal..
I like it and I think I need it.— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 1, 2022
Aubameyang joined Arsenal in 2018, left. Joined Barcelona, left.
His first appearance in Champions League since leaving Dortmund is going to be for Chelsea. 😭😭😭😭— 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐂̧𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Pulisicate) September 1, 2022
Aubameyang will play champions league football before Arsenal since 2016/17 pic.twitter.com/3lILGq6xjG
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) September 1, 2022
Leaked footage of Aubameyang vs Arsenal on November 5th…pic.twitter.com/sPUDr5PEkL
— Uber Chelsea FC ⭐️⭐️ (@UberCheIseaFC) September 1, 2022
Welcome to Chelsea Football Club, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. ✍️👏
Ex Arsenal players don’t seem to do too badly at Chelsea. 😉 pic.twitter.com/bp01bpJTzy— Chris Wright 🏴 (@chriswrightzz) September 1, 2022
Aubameyang and Willian back in the Premier League. Arteta has annoyed someone powerful, they’re recruiting all his enemies. Guendouzi to Brighton next.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) September 1, 2022
He ended up joining Barcelona, where he scored 13 goals in 23 matches across all competitions, including twice in a 4-0 win over Real Madrid and spurred the Blaugrana on to a second-place finish in La Liga.
Now, he will reunite with Tuchel at Chelsea, who he worked with previously at Borussia Dortmund and shared a positive relationship with in their time together in Germany.
It was Tuchel who made Aubameyang a more consistent goalscorer and in their two seasons together, he scored 79 goals in 95 appearances, being one of the best forwards in Germany.
Tuchel has spoken positively about that time and ahead of his Chelsea returned, shared good memories, saying that the player was a joy to work with.
After a difficult start to the season, Tuchel will be hoping Aubameyang can improve the team, and help them on to achieve their goals for the rest of the campaign.
