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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is fondly remembered by Arsenal fans despite his tumultuous exit (Picture: Getty)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared a dressing room with countless stars and big names during his time at Arsenal – but he places Ousmane Dembele above the rest when ranking his greatest ever team-mates.
During his peak years at Arsenal, Aubameyang was widely considered to be among the most lethal and natural goalscorers in the Premier League while sharing a pitch with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka.
Across his four years with the Gunners, the Gabon international racked up 92 goals in 163 appearances, including a famous double in the side’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2020.
Aubameyang had taken over from Granit Xhaka as Arsenal’s captain earlier that season but was subsequently stripped of the armband midway through the 2020/21 campaign due to disciplinary issues and questions over his poor timekeeping.
It marked the beginning of the end for Aubameyang’s Arsenal career under Mikel Arteta and the centre-forward went on to join Barcelona after terminating his contract at the Emirates.
It was at the Camp Nou that Aubameyang was reunited with Dembele, who he had previously played alongside when the latter was a teenager at Borussia Dortmund.
Aubameyang clearly enjoyed his brief spell with Dembele and Co, netting 13 times in 24 games for the Catalan giants before returning to English football to join Arsenal’s bitter rivals Chelsea in 2022.
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Dembele and Aubameyang were reunited at Barcelona having been Dortmund team-mates (Picture: Getty)
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Dembele could go on and win a second Ballon d’Or, says Aubameyang (Picture: Getty)
‘I played with a lot of good players, but I would say Dembele,’ Aubameyang replied when asked to name the best player he had ever played with during an interactive Q&A with DAZN on Wednesday.
Aubameyang later picked out Dembele as one of the three best playmakers he ever lined up with, alongside Dortmund icon Marco Reus and ex-Arsenal team-mate Ozil.
He also backed Dembele to go on and scoop a second Ballon d’Or after the Frenchman won the prestigious prize for the first time last year.
‘I don’t know [who will lift the next award, but I would say Dembele because it’s my friend.’
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The Q&A took a slightly uncomfortable turn when Aubameyang was quizzed on his tumultuous Arsenal exit and fallout with Arteta in 2022.
‘I wanted to stay, but s*** happens,’ the 36-year-old attacker, who now turns out for Marseille, responded bluntly.
Aubameyang did, though, reassure Arsenal supporters that he remained a ‘red man’ after he was asked if London was ‘red or blue’.
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The ex-Arsenal forward has been in the goals for Marseille this season (Picture: Getty)
With his career in its twilight years, Aubameyang was naturally asked if he had any ambitions to enter the world of coaching when he does eventually hang up his boots.
‘That’s not my first idea,’ he replied.
‘But I think I’ll stay in the world of football.
‘Definitely, I start this year with some lessons, a bit about management. We’ll see.’
Aubameyang has scored eight goals in 22 appearances in Ligue 1 since joining Marseille on a free transfer from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Qadsiah last summer.
The veteran striker’s contract with Marseille runs through to June 2027.
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