Aubameyang talks Thierry Henry, Pedri, Nico, Gavi, Real Madrid, and Arsenal

After a few months of isolation from Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was pushed out of the team, and his contract terminated on the last day of the winter transfer window. Barcelona signed him on a free transfer, with the deal possibly lasting till 2025.

Ahead of the move, there was a lot of controversy about his form and level, but Auba has hit the ground running pretty quickly, scoring a hat-trick on his second start for the club, against Valencia no less.

The Gabonese striker talked to Mundo Deportivo as part of an exclusive interview, where he name-dropped a certain Thierry Henry, who also made the switch to Barça from Arsenal.

“I talked to Thierry Henry before signing for Barcelona,” he said.

The striker went on to say that he was also in conversation with his former teammates Hector Bellerin and Marc Bartra about any potential move: “I talked with Hector Bellerin and Marc Bartra about my possible move to the club. He (Bartra), told me that it was a very big club, which is what I already thought.”

Aubameyang opened the scoring in sensational fashion against Valencia with a finish into the top corner. He then hit his trademark front-flip celebration, which he reveals he learnt from a Real Madrid legend.

“If I’m being honest, I learned to do the somersaults from a player who plays for the other team (Madrid)…Hugo Sanchez.”

He scored two goals after that and became the first player in the 21st century to score a hattrick in Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Premier League, and La Liga.

“First footballer of the 21st century with a hat-trick in Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Premier League and LaLiga? Yes, I saw the data last night and it is something incredible, really.”

It would not have been possible without some luck, though, as Pedri’s superb shot from outside the box deflected off his back and went into the roof of the net.

“I already apologized to Pedri for the goal. I knew that I touched it, but I didn’t want to say anything. It was a golazo.”

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jordi Alba tried to play long passes to Aubameyang throughout the 90 minutes, with the latter assisting his opening goal.

“In Valencia it is what the coach asked me. They had a very aggressive defense and had space in the back to exploit my quality. When we can run, we should and that’s what we did.”

Before the Valencia game, though, Aubameyang got the chance to start vs Napoli at the Camp Nou. He was asked about the experience, to which he replied:

“My Camp Nou debut? It was something incredible. It is a dream to play at a ground like this and receive this ovation. I was very pleased and happy. The truth is that it was incredible.”

Aubameyang was, in fact, very close to joining Barcelona in the summer of 2020, when his contract with Arsenal was about to expire. He decided to pen a renewal, though, after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield under the new management of Mikel Arteta.

“I was very close to joining Barcelona in January 2020. It was finally not done. It’s what the transfer market has sometimes.”

Of course, at the time, he became one of the highest-paid players in the league with his new contract. Now, though, he had to take a salary deduction before penning a deal with Barça. Is it worth it, though? Aubameyang certainly thinks so.

“Of course. I think it’s a great club and I really wanted to come. These opportunities only come once in a lifetime, and here I am.”

As someone who has played top-flight football for over a decade in the top-five leagues, the striker was asked to share some advice for Nico Gonzalez and Gavi.

“All I can say to Gavi and Nico is to continue to do what they’re doing. They will enjoy and win a lot.”

“Pedri, Gavi and Nico are very good, they play tremendous football and seeing them in person is even better than watching them on TV.”

Auba left Arsenal on a rather bitter note after enjoying a few incredible seasons there, even winning the Golden Boot. His relationship with Arteta seemed rather volatile at the time, but the striker assured that the manager wished him luck for his Barça move.

“Arteta wished me luck, yes.”

Arteta has tried to implement a modern, very Pep Guardiola-esque style of football at the North London outfit, and Aubameyang can certainly see some similarities.

“Some of the things we did with Arteta are similar. 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 has a rather spectacular record against Real Madrid, scoring five goals against them in the past. He faces them in a month and hopes to add to his tally.

“I have very good memories, scoring goals against Madrid is always good. I hope I can score many more.”

Heading into the tie vs Napoli, one would expect Aubameyang to be extra-motivated, especially after losing the Europa League final to Chelsea in 2019. When asked if he still carries that memory, he said:

“Yes, I still have it nailed, so now I have another opportunity and also for us it is to go to the Champions League. My dream, though, is to win the Champions League with Barça.”