Chadwick Boseman: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pays tribute to Black Panther actor with Wakanda Forever goal celebration

Arsenal captain performed the Wakanda Forever salute following his opening goal in the Community Shield clash with Liverpool after the Black Panther actor’s tragic death

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang paid tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman after scoring their opening goal in their Community Shield clash with Liverpool FC.

The Gabon international fired the FA Cup holders into the lead in the 12th minute, taking advantage of poor positioning from Liverpool right-back Neco Williams to cut on to his favoured right foot and curl a delightful effort past goalkeeper Alisson.

Having fired Arsenal to the FA Cup last season with four goals across the semi-finals and final, his strike on Saturday afternoon proved his fifth at Wembley in the space of six weeks, with the striker making a second home out of the national stadium.

But if his goal grabbed attentions in the annual curtain-raiser, his celebration proved far more eye-catching as he paid tribute to the late Boseman, who died overnight after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Having peeled away to celebrate, Aubameyang performed the ‘Wakanda Forever’ gesture in recognition of Boseman’s King T’Challa character in ‘Black Panther’, the Marvel Comics film released in 2018 to huge fanfare as it featured a predominantly black cast, black lead and black director in what is a white-dominated industry.

Boseman’s sudden passing came as a great shock on Saturday morning given that his illness was not publicly disclosed, with the American actor continuing his work while having operations on his condition and undergoing chemotherapy. He died on Friday night in the US at his Los Angeles home, with his wife and family by his side.

A family statement read: “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.

“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.

"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," his family said in the statement.

"From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more - all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman after scoring for Arsenal (AP)

It isn’t the first time that Aubameyang has expressed his fondness of Boseman’s character.

The 31-year-old wore a Black Panther mask following his goal against Rennes in the Europa League in March last year, which coincided with the release of ‘Avengers Endgame’, and has connotations to his national side as the Gabon team are commonly referred to as ‘Les Pantheres’, with a black panther on making up the federation’s badge.