Last year’s summer window saw Arsenal pull off the late-late show as the North London side facilitated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s move to Barcelona just minutes before the transfer window closed in January.
After suffering a fall-out with Mikel Arteta, the Gabonese forward went from being club captain to being ostracized and forbidden from training with the rest of the squad, as revealed by Arsenal’s Amazon documentary.
The player was subsequently shown the door by the Arsenal hierarchy who terminated his contract before Barcelona signed him as a free agent.
But fate had it that Aubameyang would have to go through the late departure formalities once again as Barcelona secured his transfer back to London, this time to Chelsea on deadline day.
Having signed Robert Lewandowski, the 33-year-old was deemed surplus for the requirement by the Catalans who sold him for a fee of €12 million to the Blues.
While his time at Barca was cut short by this sudden move, Aubameyang would be more than happy to be back to familiar surroundings in the Premier League.
Moreover, the forward would be working with former BVB coach Thomas Tuchel under whom Auba made a name for himself as a fearsome striker in Europe.
Chelsea fans have welcomed Auba’s signing as the Blues were evidently suffering in attack in their opening 5 games without the presence of an out-and-out Number 9.
The Chelsea No. 9 has been alleged to have been a cursed kit after the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres and Alvaro Morata failed to impress the Stamford Bridge faithful since donning the kit.
One player who did make a name for himself with this jersey has been Didier Drogba who spearheaded Chelsea to their maiden Champions League triumph back in 2012.
Having witnessed a talented striker with PL experience from his own continent taking up the mantle of the No.9, Drogba took to Twitter to congratulate Aubameyang on signing for the Blues.
While he reposted Auba’s picture with the No.9 kit, Drogba also revealed to the footballing community that he did speak with Auba about the prospect of wearing the Chelsea blue a few years ago.
Aubameyang also responded to the tweet as ecstatic as a teenager and remarked that he “can’t feel more blessed” at the moment.
While this online bromance has been well-liked by Chelsea fans it looks to have angered Arsenal fans who have come out calling Auba a traitor.
Given that Auba spent four years at Arsenal, it is very likely that this conversation to switch to Arsenal’s London rivals came during his spell with the Gunners.
Many Gunners fans who doubted Arteta’s decision to discard the Gabonese man appear now satisfied with the decision in the wake of Drogba’s comments.
Hearing that your former club captain had the prospect of wearing a Chelsea shirt in his mind while at the club surely warrants such a reaction from Gunners fans.
But although Arsenal supporters would be dreading the sight of Auba in blue, it really looks to have been the best move for Arsenal, Chelsea and even Barcelona.
The Spanish side needed fresh liquidity for a squad player and received it while Chelsea fulfilled their urgent need to find an experienced striker.
In comparison to these trades, Arsenal appears to have won the lottery as Aubameyang’s departure last season ensured the arrival of Gabriel Jesus this season who has been sensational for the Gunners and has made an instant impact on the field.
With Arsenal set to host Chelsea at the Emirates stadium in November, Aubameyang can expect very hostile treatment from the home support thanks to this new revelation from Drogba.
At the same time, the player would be hoping to show what Arsenal have missed out on by breaking the Chelsea No.9 curse in his debut season for the Blues.
