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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ran into same problem at Arsenal as he did at Borussia Dortmund

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed his switch to FC Barcelona after a dramatic deadline day saw him fly to Catalunya without permission from Arsenal to try and force through the move himself.

In the end, the 32-year-old got his way, as Arsenal allowed him to move on a free transfer - saving themselves £25million in the process - such was Mikel Arteta's determination to get rid.

While the time for talking about how Aubameyang will fare in the famous red and blue strip of Barca will undoubtedly come soon enough, it is important to analyse the manner in which the Gabon international leaves north London.

Arriving on deadline day of the January transfer window of 2018, Aubameyang garnered such excitement among the Arsenal faithful and wasted no time in showing why with a delightful debut goal at home to Everton - a lightening fast start from the man who often donned a gold bolt in his hair.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Aubameyang be a success at Barcelona? Comment below

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left Arsenal for Barcelona ((Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))

But it ends with an incredibly contrasting feeling to how it started, with Aubameyang exiled from Arsenal's first-team training and forced to keep up his fitness alone before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations.

This is due to a huge fall-out with Gunners boss Arteta, who made little secret as to why Aubameyang was not part of his plans when he was dropped for the first time for the visit of Southampton in mid-December.

"He had a disciplinary breach, that applies to everybody. That's a non-negotiable and when that happens he’s out of the team," Arteta told BBC Sport after the game.

"Whatever happens in the dressing room, I cannot share. I am sorry. I’m telling you the reason, I cannot lie, it was that, this is where I stand. From my side, I will never [say what the breach was]."

Just days later an official statement followed from Arsenal confirming that Aubameyang had been stripped of the club captaincy.

"Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday's match against West Ham United," Arsenal explained.

"We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed."

Mikel Arteta's relationship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has broken down ((Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

While it is hardly common for a club to conduct a fall-out with their former captain so publicly when he remains employed by them, it is not the first time Aubameyang has been scorned for disciplinary reasons in his career.

Weeks before his move to north London, the Gabon star was dropped by Dortmund for similar conduct.

Though Aubameyang never publicly questioned Arteta's reasons, he did fight back when receiving the same treatment in Germany.

"I didn't turn up late for training," he told Bild. "After my trip to Milan I could understand my suspension because I ignored an announcement that time.

That came a week after Aubameyang had already angered Dortmund officials by taking part in a TV shoot alongside a football freestyler, on club grounds, without the club's consent.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also disciplined by club officials while at Borussia Dortmund ((Photo by VI Images via Getty Images))

This growing ill-feeling and a sense from the player that he had outgrown BVB played a part in Aubameyang's decision to call time on his stay at the Westfalenstadion... much like the consequences of his own actions at Arsenal have prompted him to flee the Emirates.

Barcelona welcome an undeniably talented forward who has made a stellar career from knowing exactly where the goal is, as his 92 goals in 163 Arsenal games would attest to, despite his recent struggles in front of goal.

However, Xavi is aiming to lead a club so close to his heart through particularly troubled waters and can't afford to have a player who may disrupt the harmony of the dressing room a few years down the line.

All the evidence would support the theory that Aubameyang hits the ground running at Camp Nou, only for sorm of trouble to eventually lie in wait.

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