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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang responds to Arsenal as club statement confirms Barcelona move

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has responded to Arsenal on social media after leaving to join Barcelona.

The 31-year-old terminated his contract the Emirates on transfer deadline day after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta and a club statement has confirmed his departure.

Arteta stripped Aubameyang of the captaincy in December following a disciplinary breach and the striker has not played since.

Barcelona moved to rescue him on the final day of the January window and on Tuesday evening, Aubameyang responded to the Gunners' farewell tweet with a red heart emoji.

Arsenal had listed some of Aubameyang's accomplishments but kept any personal touches brief in their statement.

"We wish Auba all the best for the next chapter in his career and thank him for his contribution to the club," they added at the bottom.

Despite the Blaugrana not confirming his move, the Gabon international was spotted training with Xavi Hernandez 's side after travelling to Catalonia on Monday to force through a move.

Join the debate! Were Arsenal right to get rid of Aubameyang? Comment your thoughts below.

Aubameyang has left Arsenal to join Barcelona (PA)

Arsenal legend Paul Merson expressed his disappointment with Aubameyang's exit after four years in north London but understands the reasons why.

Speaking on Sky Sports News , Merson said: "It's a shame how this is ending because he was top drawer and it's sort of fizzling out a bit, it's a shame."

The former Gunners star was then asked where it went wrong for Aubameyang, adding: "I think (it's between) him and Arteta. The story when he went to see his mum, communication broke down there.

"Maybe that should have been done behind the scenes. It come out far too quickly, they should have sat down both parties but it was blown up straight away and that's why he's not played."

Arteta remained coy on the situation, maintaining that it was been treated game by game before the Gabon international jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations last month.

"I don't establish my authority by being dictatorial or being ruthless," the Spaniard said. "I just ask for one thing: respect and commitment.

"At this level, if I don't get that I pack my bags and go somewhere else because that is the minimum I can ask for. I am sorry but I am going to expect that from everybody who works for the club.

"First of all myself. And the day I don't do that I walk through that door and go and do something else. It is as clear as that.

"To be successful you have to be passionate about something and you want to represent a club of this size with its history, that is the minimum standard you have to bring.

"I am not going to ask anybody to put the ball into the top corner every time they hit it, but I will ask them to do the right things every single day for this club. That is for sure."

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