Rio Ferdinand has offered an explanation for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s much-improved form since he left Arsenal for FC Barcelona.
Aubameyang had been a mainstay in the Gunners’ side for several years, and long stood as their top-scoring forward.
However, the Gabonese hitman then fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta late last year, for what at the time was described as disciplinary issues.
Aubameyang, despite being under contract until 2023, was then able to leave Arsenal on a free transfer in January.
The striker has since fitted seamlessly into Barca’s side, scoring four goals in La Liga and one in the Europa League so far.
Now, Rio Ferdinand has offered an explanation for Aubameyang’s upturn in form, suggesting that all the forwarded needed was to be happy:
"He just looks happy again," Ferdinand stated. "I saw him at Arsenal, for a number of months where he just didn't look happy and people undervalue and underestimate how important your happiness is when you are a footballer."
Why did Aubameyang leave Arsenal?
Meanwhile, whilst Aubameyang is in top form again, Arsenal look set to lose two of their three out and out strikers for nothing this summer, a scenario that really would have been less problematic had Auba stayed. So why did he leave?
Well, in a recent interview, Gabriel has revealed that an issue came to the fore between his former teammate and the coaching staff at the club, which did not involve the other Arsenal players:
“Aubameyang is in my heart, we all wanted him at Arsenal,” the Brazilian stated.
“It’s something that happened between him and the coaching staff, the other players weren’t in it.”
“I said goodbye to him before he left, I hope he enjoys Barcelona, he is a very nice person with a big heart and I love him very much.”
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