Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reveals how Henrikh Mkhitaryan persuaded him to join Arsenal

The pair played together at Borussia Dortmund 

Jack Austin
Wednesday 07 February 2018 12:55 GMT
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Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan played together at Borussia Dortmund
Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan played together at Borussia Dortmund

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has admitted fellow new-boy Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the driving force in convincing him to join Arsenal last month.

The Gabon international, who scored on his debut in the 5-1 rout of Everton last weekend, joined the Gunners on the morning of deadline day for £56m from Borussia Dortmund, following his former teammate Mkhitaryan, who also joined that month.

Mkhitaryan moved to north London in exchange for Alexis Sanchez, who went in the opposite direction to Manchester United, and welcomed Aubameyang to the club as part of the latter’s announcement video.

And now Aubameyang has revealed that Mkhitaryan was played a significant role in bringing him to the Emirates.

“He called me a few times and asked, ‘Will you come or not?’” Aubameyang told Arsenal.com. “I said, ‘First you have to tell me if you signed or not’.

“He told me it was all done — and of course it was a big factor in me coming here.

“It's like being reunited with a brother, a good friend. We played together in the past and I'm really happy to see him again.”

As well as Aubameyang’s goal, Mkhitaryan added three assists of his own in that game, which sparking hopes that he would rediscover his form of old.

“We understand each other on and off the pitch, that's why it's easier on the pitch,” Aubameyang added. “[The fans] have to be happy [to see us together], we will do our best of course, like we did in the past.

“We know each other on and off the pitch.”

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