Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confirmed the broken relationship with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta influenced his decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
The striker secured a deal to Barcelona on transfer deadline day after being stripped of the captaincy at the Emirates in December following a disciplinary breach.
Speaking at his official unveiling at the Nou Camp, Aubameyang said: “I think it was a problem just with him [Arteta]. I can’t really tell you much. He wasn’t happy and that was it. I can’t say anything else because that’s what happened. I wasn’t very happy and I’m better this way.
“There were some complicated months. Sometimes football is like that. If I had to say something about this, I would say, on my behalf, I never wanted to do anything bad.
“Now I have to put this behind me, that is in the past. I want to think about the present.”
“Barca is a great club that has to win the Champions League, that’s why I came here,” he said. “I am here to do everything we can to get back into the Champions League and then go out and win it.
“I have always had the dream to play in La Liga; it is something I have dreamed of as a child. This is the opportunity of my life. Barca are one of the best clubs in the world so that is why I am here.
“Everything is really good. When I got here, I will tell you the truth, I felt really good. The people are really good. I’m really happy. It is like a dream and I’m not at all ready to wake up.
“I dream of playing here for a long time. I’m going to work very hard to keep playing as long as possible. I’m going to give everything I have got and I need to show my gratitude to the club. It is an honour for me to be here.”
