Barcelona forward Aubameyang says ‘problem’ with Arteta led to Arsenal exit

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said his “problem” with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta contributed to his decision to leave the club and join Barcelona.

The Gabon striker completed a free transfer to Barca on Wednesday having been shut out of the Gunners squad.

Aubameyang’s departure came after he was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following a disciplinary breach.

“I think it was a problem just with him [Arteta],” the 32-year-old said at his Nou Camp unveiling on Thursday.

“He made the decision. I can’t say much more. He wasn’t happy, I stayed very calm and that’s it.”

Aubameyang was released from his Arsenal contract on Monday having not made an appearance following the disciplinary issue in December.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward had previously been dropped in March and missed the win over north London rivals Tottenham because of a “breach of pre-match protocol”.

But he is hopeful of resurrecting his career at Barca ahead of a possible debut against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

“It’s true that they were complicated months and I think football has these things sometimes,” added Aubameyang.

“But if I have to say something about this topic [leaving Arsenal], it is that I never wanted to do anything wrong on my part, but I think this is the past and I want to think about the present.”

Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for Arsenal following his £56m move from Dortmund in January 2018, helping the Gunners win the 2020 FA Cup to give Arteta silverware in his first season at the helm.

His Barcelona contract runs until June 2025 and includes an option to agree a departure in June 2023, plus a buyout clause of 100 million euros (£83.4m).