Aubameyang talks Dembele, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Champions League on his Barcelona presentation

The deadline day of the winter transfer window was quite a story. Barcelona fans were on the edge of their seats trying to push the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over the line. Finally, with two minutes to spare, Arsenal terminated his contract, making him a free agent.

The Gabonese has signed for Barça on a three and a half year contract, but Barcelona have the option to unilaterally terminate it in the summer of 2023. He was officially presented in the garnet and blue today, where he was asked for a recap of the deadline day.

“I was looking forward to coming here, that’s why I came in the monring, because there were many things to do before the deal was done, I’m very happy.”

“The day of the signing was a very long day. We signed two minutes before the end of the market. It was a little hectic, but I was very happy. It’s a dream.”

Giving a brief description of his game and style, Aubameyang said, “I am a forward who’s fast and I hope to help the team with my goals. I’m here to kill in front of the goal.”

The former Arsenal forward also spoke about the Champions League, saying, “Barça is a great club that has to win the Champions League, coming here is an opportunity to try, we will do everything possible to return to the competition and try to win it again.”

It is an open secret that his time in North London, recently, did not go according to plan. Aubameyang was stripped of captaincy, excluded from group training and matches. He did not shy away from talking about that.

“It’s true that I have not played for a little while, but in my head I have it very clear. I hope to play and get back to the top little by little.”

“The last months at Arsenal were complicated, I never wanted to do anything wrong, this is the past and I think about the present,” he admitted.

For the last two years, Aubameyang’s position has been in contention, with Mikel Arteta deploying him on the left-wing at Arsenal. He was asked about the same, to which he replied:

“I have spoken with the coach, he sees me playing as a striker and I am prepared to play there, and I can also play on the wing if he needs it.”

Naturally, one question had to be directed at him about his teammate at Borussia Dortmund, Ousmane Dembele. “Dembele is trianing very well and I hope he and the club find a solution,” he said.

Serie A is the only league where Aubameyang has not played in now, of the top five at least. His record in each of Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Premier League is impeccable.

“I think I’ve been very lucky to play in the Premier League. I’m really keen to get started because in my mind I’m ready.”

He continued, “I always had the dream of playing in La Liga and this is an incredible opportunity, it is the opportunity of my life. Barça is one of the best clubs in the world and I am very happy.”

A certain quote by Aubameyang had been going around the social media in the last few days, where he said to his grandfather his dream is to play for Real Madrid. He was questioned about it, to which he replied:

“Madrid? When you’re little, your family tells you things and you follow them. I think my grandfather will be happy to see me here as a Barça player.”

My family is from Avila and my grandfather is a fan of Atletico Madrid, that’s why I said that one day I would play for Real. Now I just want to play for Barcelona,” Aubameyang laughed.

There have been questions raised about his fit in the team, though. Auba is not concerned, though, saying, “Every player who comes here has to adapt. Barcelona has a lot of quality, they play beautiful football, I think I have to get used to the style, but I’ll get it.”

Source: BarçaTV+