On his first long interview with an outside media outlet, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang revealed he rejected several attractive offers.
Making the decision to stay at Arsenal wasn’t an easy one for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he had other offers on the table. The Gabon international was a well-known Real Madrid target. Bayern Munich was also after his services. There were other clubs in England, Italy, and Spain that would’ve loved having him on the squad.
It was clear to everybody that this striker was reaching a level that very few players in the world can get to. But Mikel Arteta did a fantastic job by convincing him to remain at the Gunners. There hadn’t been any specific talk about the clubs that were after him in the past. However, the player did talk about it more openly during an interview with Sky Sports.
Arteta’s philosophy and the offers he rejected.
“Two things persuaded me to stay,” said the striker. “The first thing was Mikel Arteta, because since he came in he brings a lot of positivity and a new philosophy for us.
“I think that was important because it matched my game and I feel that I can improve with him. I think this was the key factor and as well, the love that I receive from the fans and the whole club.
“Everyone is treating me very, very good, so I feel at home and that’s why I’m staying.
“We had a chat during the lockdown and we were supposed to talk about a game and he said ‘okay, forget about it, we’re going to talk about the future’ and he asked me what I wanted to do.”
“I was like ‘I feel good since you came, I’m improving, and the philosophy is very, very nice so I just want to stay’ and he was like ‘I’m sure if you stay you can leave a legacy, but it’s all about you and what you want.
“Of course, you can leave and go for trophies in big clubs as well but I think you can create a legacy here in this great club.’
“This was the key message to me and after that conversation, I was like ‘okay, it’s all clear for me and I just want to stay’ and that’s it.”
“I was thinking about it to tell you the truth because I had good opportunities as well,” Aubameyang added.
“But this feeling to be here – the love from the fans and all the club – I’m not sure that by leaving I will receive the same love, so that’s why I’m staying.
“I’m really proud to be the captain but it’s not the biggest factor to stay. Of course, it’s a great job to do but it was not a part of me staying here.”
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