Former Arsenal striker and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took to social media on Tuesday night to post a farewell message to the club he ha long settled into as home since 2018.<\/p>\n
The Gabonese striker says the manner of his departure from the Gunners\u00a0\u201churts\u201d as he edged closer to a move to Barcelona and the 32-year-old former Gunners captain was pictured training with his prospective new team-mates after arriving in Barcelona\u00a0on Monday.<\/p>\n
Some confusion ensued when no agreement was reached as deadline day passed but his release by Arsenal now makes him a free agent and, prior to the completion of his move to the Camp Nou, Aubameyang took to social media on Tuesday night to post a farewell message to the club he has called home since 2018.<\/p>\n
In his Instagram post, Aubameyang reminisced: \u201cTo the Arsenal fans, Thank you for making London\u00a0home for myself and my family for the past four years. We went through ups and downs together and your support meant everything to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always been 100 per cent focused and committed on doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts \u2013 but that is football.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sad I did not get the chance to help my teammates in the last few weeks, but I have nothing but respect for this club and truly wish all my guys and the fans all the best and many successful years in the future!\u201d<\/p>\n
The Gabon international returned home early from the Africa Cup of Nations due to health reasons and has also been out in the cold at Arsenal since being disciplined by the club in December.<\/p>\n
He had been linked with a loan move this January, with Barcelona among a number of European clubs who had shown an interest, as well as teams based in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Arsenal apparently held back on announcing Aubameyang\u2019s departure, four years to the day since he signed from Borussia Dortmund, as a gesture of respect to Barcelona, whose president, Joan Laporta,\u00a0said on Tuesday the official unveiling may come later in the week.<\/p>\n
However, pictures appeared showing Aubameyang in the background training at Barcelona.<\/p>\n
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