Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed that Arsenal’s capture of Henrikh Mkhitaryan was a big deciding factor in him moving to the Emirates.
Aubameyang completed the £57m club record transfer to the Emirates on transfer deadline day after weeks of negotiations, and has revealed that he had received phone calls from Henrikh Mkhitaryan asking him about the status of the transfer,
The duo of course already formed a fantastic relationship and understanding on the field during their time together at Borussia Dortmund, with Mkhitaryan scoring 11 goals and providing 15 assists in the Bundesliga during the 2015/16 campaign, while Aubameyang scored 25 goals and provided 5 assists during the same campaign.
Speaking to the Arsenal Weekly Podcast, Aubameyang said:
“It’s like [being reunited with] a brother, a good friend.
“We played together in the past and I’m really happy to see him again.
“He called me a few times, he asked, ‘Will you come or not?’ I said, ‘First you have to tell me if you sign or not’.
“He told me all was done and of course it was a big factor in coming here.
“We understand each other on and off the pitch, that’s why it’s easier on the pitch
“[The fans] have to be happy [to see us together], we will do our best of course, like we did in the past.”
The pair have already started to regenerate their old partnership, with Mkhitaryan grabbing three assists on his home debut, including setting up Aubameyang for his first goal for the Gunners.