Aubameyang has said that his decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer was influenced by his deteriorated relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
After being deprived of his captaincy at the Emirates in December due to a disciplinary transgression, the striker moved to Catalonia on Deadline Day.
Given the obvious schism between the two, his late substitution performance in the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on December 6 would turn out to be his final game for the club.
“I think it was just a problem with him [Arteta],” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stated at his formal unveiling at the Nou Camp. I’m not sure how much I can tell you. He wasn’t pleased, and that was the end of it. I’m not sure what else to say because that’s what happened. I wasn’t happy before, and I’m happier now.
“It’s been a tumultuous few months. Football may be like that at times. If I were to comment on this, I would say that I have never desired to do anything wrong.
“Now I have to put everything behind me and move on with my life.” I’d want to reflect on the present.”
Given Barcelona’s financial difficulties, the 32-year-old is said to have agreed to a considerable salary reduction in order to complete the transfer, which ended his four-year connection with Arsenal.
The deal appeared to be on the rocks at one point, when he arrived in the city before the two teams had signed a formal agreement.
“That was a very long, crazy day,” he added.
“I was with my dad at his house and I was just hoping that everything would work out well. They called me in the afternoon and said I could do the medical checks. I was a bit stressed, but everything was good in the end.
“It is true that I’ve not played for a little while, but in my head everything is very clear. I’ll be ready to play and help out soon. I know that we are going to go back to the top little by little.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta led the player’s unveiling in Auditorium 1899, implying that Aubameyang will receive a financial incentive in the future as a result of his salary sacrifice.
“With this transfer, everything has worked out well,” he remarked. We’re bringing in a fantastic player who wanted to join Barca and made an effort, a sacrifice, to do so, which we greatly respect.
“Once we’re in a better financial position, we’ll help you like you’re helping Barca right now.”
“We worked late into the night to complete this transfer and until the very last minute when the contract between him and Arsenal, as well as the one here at Barca, was signed.”
“I believe we had a very good winter transfer window within the club’s capabilities.”
The Gabonese international appears confident about his future after signing a three-year contract that includes an 18-month break provision. He has set his sights on not only returning to the Champions League but also lifting the championship.
“Barca is a great club that has to win the Champions League, that’s why I came here,” he said. “I am here to do everything we can to get back into the Champions League and then go out and win it.
“I have always had the dream to play in La Liga; it is something I have dreamed of as a child. This is the opportunity of my life. Barca are one of the best clubs in the world so that is why I am here.
“Everything is really good. When I got here, I will tell you the truth, I felt really good. The people are really good. I’m really happy. It is like a dream and I’m not at all ready to wake up.
“I dream of playing here for a long time. I’m going to work very hard to keep playing as long as possible. I’m going to give everything I have got and I need to show my gratitude to the club. It is an honour for me to be here.”
