Arsenal's Record January Signing: The Rise and Fall of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
In January 2018, Arsenal Football Club made a statement of intent by breaking their transfer record to secure the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a staggering £56 million. The deadline day acquisition was met with widespread excitement among Gunners supporters, who viewed the prolific striker as a potential catalyst for a new era of success at the Emirates Stadium.
Immediate Impact and Early Success
Aubameyang wasted no time in justifying his substantial price tag, marking his debut with a goal and quickly adapting to the demands of English football. The Gabonese forward netted an impressive 10 times in his first 14 appearances, providing a bright spot during what would become Arsene Wenger's final season at the helm.
His first full campaign saw him clinch the Premier League Golden Boot, showcasing his elite finishing ability despite Arsenal's overall struggles on the pitch. The striker's influence continued to grow when he was appointed club captain in November 2019, leading the team to FA Cup glory at the end of that season. His commitment appeared solidified when he signed a new three-year contract in September 2020, a development celebrated by fans who saw him as a cornerstone of the club's future.
The Disciplinary Breach and Arteta's Hardline Stance
The relationship between player and club took a dramatic turn in December 2021 when manager Mikel Arteta made the bold decision to drop Aubameyang from the matchday squad to face Southampton. The manager cited disciplinary reasons for this exclusion, specifically referencing the striker's delayed return from a sanctioned trip abroad to bring his mother back to England.
Arteta explained his decision publicly, stating: "Unfortunately, due to a disciplinary breach. I think we've been very consistent with no negotiables as a team that we have set ourselves as a club, so he's not involved today." The manager emphasized the difficulty of the situation, particularly given Aubameyang's status as club captain at the time.
The Captaincy Stripped and Training Exile
Matters escalated rapidly in the days following the initial disciplinary action. Aubameyang was formally stripped of the captaincy and subsequently exiled from first-team training sessions. In a 2024 interview, the striker recalled the tense confrontation with Arteta that precipitated his marginalization.
"I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears into me," Aubameyang recounted. "He shouts at me like I'm crazy. He says, 'You put a knife in my back. You can't do that to me given the times we're going through.'"
The striker described being informed by club medical staff that he would no longer train with the main group, followed by a formal meeting where Arteta explained both the removal of his captaincy and his continued separation from the squad.
Mutual Consent Departure and Legacy
With no pathway back to the first team, Aubameyang's Arsenal career reached its conclusion in February 2022 when his contract was terminated by mutual consent. He joined Barcelona the following day, ending a four-year stint in North London that had begun with such promise.
Despite the acrimonious ending, Aubameyang's statistical contribution to Arsenal remains significant. He scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for the club, including 38 goals in 76 games under Arteta's management. His departure marked a defining moment in Arteta's tenure, demonstrating the manager's authority and commitment to establishing non-negotiable standards as he reshaped the squad.
The Aubameyang saga represents one of modern football's most dramatic rises and falls—a record-breaking signing who delivered trophies and individual accolades before a disciplinary breach triggered an irreversible breakdown in his relationship with the manager who had once entrusted him with the captain's armband.
