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Premier League • England

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits chance to derail Arsenal title bid in Chelsea blue will be ‘fun’

Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea, October 2022

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is relishing the opportunity to derail Arsenal’s Premier title bid as he prepares to face his old team for the first time on Sunday.

The Gabon international initially excelled under Mikel Arteta at The Emirates, playing a major part in their FA Cup win over current employers Chelsea back in 2020.

His goalscoring heroics in the semi-final win over Manchester City and then the final against the Blues led to Aubameyang earning a new contract.

However, the 33-year-old’s performance levels than dropped, which led to a high-profile fallout with Arteta.

The toxic environment eventually saw Aubameyang’s contract terminated and he joined Barcelona for free in February.

But after a strong showing in Catalonia, the forward was a victim of Barcelona’s financial troubles and was sold to Chelsea on deadline day.

And now Aubameyang has stoked the fires ahead of Sunday’s reunion in a promotional advert for BT Sport earlier this week .

He claimed to be ‘a Blue now’ but he insists he’s looking forward to having ‘fun’ against his old club.

Aubameyang looking to inflict some damage

Speaking ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, Aubameyang said: “Yes, definitely a very exciting game. Also because they are doing well at the moment. Yeah, before I was on the other side.

“And of course I have some memories of a few games I played against Chelsea. Now it’s going to be so much different.

“But hopefully we can win this game and we play at home so I think it’s going to be really exciting. And yeah, I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s a big week coming and we will try to give everything to make the most of it. The first game is at home against Arsenal I think it’s going to be fun for sure.”

Aubameyang ended up being stripped of the captaincy under Arteta. However, he still believes he is capable of being someone Chelsea’s younger players can learn from.

Chelsea star acting as a role model

The former Dortmund forward added: “I try to always give advice you know. I’m not a guy who will speak when cameras are there but I do my job secretly.

“The best thing you can do when you are an experienced player is make the young players fully comfortable in the dressing room. And I try to be as cool as possible. I had a warm welcome so I’m doing well at the moment.”

One such player who could benefit from Aubameyang’s experience is Armando Brojo.

The striker impressed on loan at Southampton last season and Aubameyang is impressed with what he sees.

He added: “We talked quite a few times already tried to give him some tips but I always say to him when we work in front of the goal for example remember this is the only chance you will have in the game and try to be in that mindset.

“I think this can help him otherwise I don’t think he need so much because he has so much pace, he is strong and it’s all about the finishing and always being positive.”

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