Aubameyang can't hide "sad" response to Arsenal's Champions League failure

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has admitted his disappointment after Arsenal missed out on the Champions League thanks to a late season slip-up.

The 32-year-old joined Barcelona at the end of the January transfer window after four years with the Gunners, who lost two of their final three games to miss out on a top-four finish, made worse by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogging them late in the race. Meanwhile, Aubameyang made Arsenal fans rue his high-profile falling out with manager Mikel Arteta, scoring 13 goals in 23 games for Barcelona to help them qualify for Europe's premier competition.

Now that the term is over for both clubs, the ex- Borussia Dortmund striker is enjoying the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend and was asked by Sky Sports for his thoughts on the Gunners' collapse. "Yeah, they came really close," Aubameyang lamented. "They made a lot of improvements and I'm a bit sad because I wanted to catch them in the Champions League.

"I have a lot of friends over there. I'm wishing them all the best for next season, obviously. I think it's gonna be a good thing for them to get back to the Europa League as well and hopefully they can win it."

The Gabonese superstar's hotly-debated departure was one of the biggest stories of the 2021-22 Premier League season, with Arteta stripping him of the captaincy in December before the club decided to release him from his lucrative contract and allow him to head to the Camp Nou.

Aubameyang is loving life in LaLiga, though, proving to be a key component in Xavi Hernandez 's system, notably netting twice in a memorable 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in March. The speedster has hailed his "little brother" and former Dortmund teammate, Ousmane Dembele, for helping him get back to goalscoring form.

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"He's my little brother," Aubameyang declared, via Goal, following a win against Celta Vigo earlier this month. "We have spent a long time together since the first day. When I arrived in Dortmund, I knew him a bit. With time we have built up this relationship which is like a brother."

Barcelona will have their No.25's full focus from now on, too, having recently announced his retirement from international football. "After 13 years of pride in representing my country, I announce that I am ending my international career," Aubameyang said in a statement.

"I would like to thank the Gabonese people and all those who have supported me in good and bad times. I will keep a lot of good memories, like the day I made my debut or the day I came back from Nigeria with the African Ballon d'Or. Sharing it with all the people was an unforgettable moment.

"I thank our President, his excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba who has always supported the Panthers and has always worked for football to evolve in our country. I would also like to thank all my coaches, staff and the players that I have come across during this career. Finally, I thank my father who gave me the desire to do like him, hoping to have him proud by wearing our colours."