Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed what Mikel Arteta told him ahead of his acrimonious exit from Arsenal.
The former Gunners captain joined the Catalans last month after a tumultuous deadline day which eventually culminated in him leaving the London club by mutual consent.
Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy earlier this season after a disciplinary breach which also resulted in him being frozen out by his now former manager.
The 32-year-old, who scored 92 goals for Arsenal, including two in the 2020 FA Cup final win over Chelsea, has hit the ground running at his new team and even scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory over Valencia.
Despite his relationship with Arteta turning sour towards the end of his four-year stint at the Emirates, Aubameyang revealed the manager wish him luck ahead of his move to Barca and believes he inadvertently helped prepare him for Bacelona’s style of football.
Asked whether Arteta spoke to him before he signed for Xavi’s team, Aubameyang told Mundo Deportivo: ‘Yes, Arteta wished me luck at Barca.’
‘Some of the things we did with Arteta are similar,’ he added when asked to compare Arsenal’s style to that of his new employers.
‘I still have to get used to it but I am eager to learn. When I see how the boys play I want to do the same.
Aubameyang will next be in action against Napoli on Thursday as Barcelona look to progress to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League but will need a good result after they were held 1-1 at home a week ago.
‘We are going to give everything and, personally, I am going to continue working as I have done since I arrived,’ said Aubameyang.
‘I want to win games and I want to win this Europa League, so if we want to win it, we have to win this game. ‘Another hat-trick? I don’t know (laughs), but if we win it’s the most important thing.’
