Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the opportunity to play his first El Clasico in his football career on March 20, 2022, and completely stole the show in the 71 minutes he had to play.
Coach Xavi decided to start the 32-year-old Gabonese striker ahead of Memphis Depay and the decision paid off greatly as Aubameyang ended up scoring two goals and provided an assist.
Aubameyang helped FC Barcelona to beat Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu to boost Barca’s chance of finishing in the top four and probably contend for the Spanish La Liga title.
Also, Aubameyang’s two goals and assist made him the first player in the 21st century to directly contribute three goals in a first El Clasico appearance, a record the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not able to make during their eras at Barca and Real Madrid respectively.
3 – @FCBarcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 🇬🇦 is the first player to be directly involved in three goals in his first appearance in #ElClásico in all competitions in the 21st century (two goals and an assist). Impressive. pic.twitter.com/b8HIZYFEKP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 20, 2022
After the tremendous performance in the El Clasico, Aubameyang took to his Twitter page to tweet a picture of one of his celebrations.
In the caption of the tweet, the Gabonese striker wrote: “Hello from the finished player”, which many believed was a jab at Arsenal and the club’s coach Mikel Arteta.
Hello from the finished player 🔵🔴
— AUBA⚡️ (@Auba) March 21, 2022
💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/MUPmsznoup
Recall that before Aubameyang left Arsenal in January 2022, the club’s coach sidelined him for breaching the club’s disciplinary protocol.
Arsenal went as far as ending the Gabonese striker’s reign as the club’s captain. Coach Arteta also failed to play him towards the January transfer window.
Hence, the Gabonese striker had to agree to terminate his lucrative contract with Arsenal and accepted a pay cut to join FC Barcelona. Reports claimed that Aubameyang now earns £80,000 per week at Barca, which means that he accepted a £270,000 per week pay cut to play for Barca.
Since he joined the Spanish club, he has been enjoying a tremendous form. His two goals and an assist against Real Madrid on Sunday were just icing on the cake and a message to Arsenal that he was not a finished player despite his poor run of games towards the end of his era at the Emirates Stadium.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang explains his special celebration
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated one of his goals at the Bernabeu, he put two of his fingers on his forehead and stretched one of his hands forward.
After Barca’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid, the Gabonese striker explained to beIN Sports that the celebration was a reference to a popular animated TV show titled Dragon Ball Z.
The gesture the former Arsenal star made was similar to the gesture of the major character of the animated TV show, Goku. The character does that to activate “instant transmission”.
“Yes of course, exactly, Dragon Ball Z,” Aubameyang said when asked about the feature after the 4-0 win over Real Madrid.
“I had one wish, it was to simply win here. I thought a lot about my family, a lot about my grandparents who are no longer with us, but here, I’m happy to have scored for them today.”
"This is the beginning of the new era"
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 21, 2022
— @Auba after Barça's 4-0 win in #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/U2u1u8ykWg
Arsenal famous supporter and British broadcaster Piers Morgan is not happy with Mikel Arteta
Arsenal famous supporter and British broadcaster Piers Morgan took to Twitter to rant about the failure of Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta to prevent Aubameyang from leaving the club.
Morgan who watched the Gabonese striker tear Real Madrid apart on Sunday stressed that Arsenal gave Aubameyang away.
He tweeted: “A free transfer. WE GAVE HIM AWAY.
“Another brilliant goal by @Auba – this time in El Clasico,” he wrote in a separate post. “He’s been the world’s most lethal goal machine since joining Barcelona… and with every goal he scores, he makes Arteta look more absurd for giving him away.”
Another brilliant goal by @Auba – this time in El Clasico. He’s been the world’s most lethal goal machine since joining Barcelona… and with every goal he scores, he makes Arteta look more absurd for giving him away. pic.twitter.com/bEkAXwqHa7
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2022
“Brilliant back-heel assist” the broadcaster tweeted for the third goal of the evening, scored by Ferran Torres.
UPDATE: Brilliant back-heel assist by @Auba for Barca’s 3rd goal as he leads the humiliation of Real Madrid.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2022
When Auba was on target again, Morgan tweeted: “UPDATE: Aubameyang scores again in El Clasico. Two goals & one assist so far, and it’s still only the 53rd minute. You watching @m8arteta???”
UPDATE: Aubameyang scores again in El Clasico.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2022
Two goals & one assist so far, and it’s still only the 53rd minute. You watching @m8arteta ???
“A manager’s job is to manage great talent & get the best out of them, not drive them out of the club,” he tweeted again.
A manager’s job is to manage great talent & get the best out of them, not drive them out of the club. https://t.co/hH3FZRrK8D
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2022
“I’m enjoying watching @Auba work his magic for Barca, whilst remaining incredulous & furious that Arsenal gave away such a wonderful world-class striker,” he continued. “Trust the process, my a*se.”
I’m enjoying watching @Auba work his magic for Barca, whilst remaining incredulous & furious that Arsenal gave away such a wonderful world class striker. Trust the process, my a*se. https://t.co/1npMkCkVl7
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 20, 2022
Since he joined FC Barcelona in January, Aubameyang has scored 9 goals and provided an assist in 11 games in all competitions. His contract with the Spanish club will expire on June 30, 2025.
