Ex-Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has claimed that ‘some people forget’ what is in a footballer’s control after he was booed by his former fans on his return to the Emirates with Chelsea on Tuesday night.
The Gabon striker starred for the Gunners under first Unai Emery, and then Mikel Arteta, firing the former to a Europa League final and the current Arsenal boss to an FA Cup trophy in 2020.
However, he departed under a cloud, joining Barcelona on transfer deadline day in January 2022 after having been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s side in November in the wake of showing up late for training once again.
Six months later, he was back in London, but with Chelsea on the request of Thomas Tuchel, who was almost immediately fired as Blues boss. In the time since, he has once again been frozen out and was unregistered for the Champions League knockout stages in order to make room for new signings.
Thrust back into the starting XI against Arsenal at the Emirates for the first time since January, he managed just nine touches, of which four were kick offs, before he was hooked at half time much to the delight of the Arsenal faithful.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had 9 touches vs Arsenal
4 of those were from kick off… 😬 pic.twitter.com/V29viQP1jS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2023
Booed at every opportunity in the ground, some Arsenal fans took to social media to admit their love for the striker still, and Aubameyang didn’t let an opportunity to set the record straight go amiss, replying on Instagram that perhaps their bitterness was misguided.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang responds to Instagram post about him:
“You know sometimes people forget what’s the real life and forget about how you can’t control what’s happened.” pic.twitter.com/Z8J8UoODQc
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) May 3, 2023
On very different paths now, Aubameyang is almost certain to leave Chelsea this summer in search of a third club in two years, while Arsenal are challenging for a Premier League title in his absence.
