Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has insisted that the love of fans and the trust of Arteta convinced him to stay at Arsenal
A number of clubs had reportedly lined for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season amid the uncertainty surrounding the forward’s future at the Emirates.
Aubameyang was displaying reluctance in signing a contract extension with Arsenal despite having entered the final year of his previous deal.
FC Barcelona were reportedly leading the chase to sign the wantaway Gabonese marksman, with the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus also said to be showing interest.
The speculations finally ended earlier this month with him putting pen to paper on a new three-year contract.
The former Borussia Dortmund man recently revealed that Barcelona indeed made an approach to sign him, but he had enough reasons to stay put in north London.
“There were several offers, notably from Barca, but also other clubs,” Aubameyang said on Canal Football Club, via Goal.
“My priority was to stay for two reasons: the first is the coach, Mikel Arteta, because we spoke a fair amount during the ‘lockdown’, as they say here, we were at home and spoke several times and he convinced me, notably in terms of the project.
“Of course, secondly, is the love that I receive from the fans and people at the club. Since I have been here I have been treated like one of their own, and as I am one of their own, I am going to stay here, it is as simple as that.”
- Video: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – All 92 Goals for Arsenal
- Video: Welcome to the Aaron Ramsdale Show! (2021/22)
- Video: Pepe provides Aubameyang transfer update to Arsenal fan
- Arsenal have been pursuing Dusan Vlahovic for some time, but a specific demand from the player could prove to be a stumbling block
