Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Speed, Goals, and Controversy

Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang, known simply as Aubameyang or Auba, is a Gabonese professional footballer known for his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and occasionally controversial behavior. Born in Laval, France, to a Gabonese father (also a footballer) and a Spanish mother, Aubameyang represents Gabon internationally, captaining the national team for several years.

Aubameyang began his senior career at AC Milan but struggled to break into the first team. Loan spells followed at Dijon, Lille, and Monaco, where he began to showcase his potential. It was at Saint-Étienne that he truly exploded onto the scene, scoring goals consistently and earning the Ligue 1 African Player of the Year award in 2013. This success paved the way for a move to Borussia Dortmund in the same year.

At Dortmund, Aubameyang blossomed into one of the world’s most feared strikers. Partnering with players like Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski (initially), he became a prolific goalscorer under the management of Jürgen Klopp and later Thomas Tuchel. He won the Bundesliga top scorer award in the 2016-17 season, netting 31 goals. His explosive pace, ability to get in behind defenses, and composed finishing made him a nightmare for opposing defenders. He also became known for his flamboyant goal celebrations, often incorporating superhero masks.

In January 2018, Aubameyang joined Arsenal for a then-club-record fee. He quickly adapted to the Premier League, forming a potent attacking partnership with Alexandre Lacazette. He shared the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2018-19 season with Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah, scoring 22 goals. He also captained Arsenal and led them to an FA Cup victory in 2020, scoring both goals in the final against Chelsea.

Despite his goalscoring prowess, Aubameyang’s time at Arsenal was marred by disciplinary issues. These culminated in him being stripped of the captaincy in December 2021 by manager Mikel Arteta due to repeated breaches of club rules. This ultimately led to his departure from the club in January 2022, joining Barcelona on a free transfer.

His stint at Barcelona, though brief, proved successful. He scored 11 goals in 17 La Liga appearances, helping the club secure Champions League qualification. However, the arrival of Robert Lewandowski in the summer of 2022 led to his departure, returning to London to join Chelsea.

His time at Chelsea was ultimately unsuccessful. He struggled to find consistent form and was largely sidelined. Following a loan spell back at Marseille, Aubameyang currently plays for Marseille permanently. Aubameyang’s career is a testament to his incredible talent and goalscoring ability. While his disciplinary issues have sometimes overshadowed his on-field achievements, he remains a highly sought-after striker with a proven track record at the highest level.