What Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang noticed about ex-Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino as pair reunite at Deportivo

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has explained his decision behind returning to La Liga and reuniting with a former Arsenal teammate at Deportivo.

Aubameyang left Marseille for the second time in the summer after scoring 14 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.

The Gabon international is in his 20th year as a professional, having been at clubs in all of Europe's top five leagues and scored more than 300 career goals.

And in his latest move, the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund striker has decided to have a second crack at the Spanish top flight following his brief spell with Barcelona.

Aubameyang, who has a Spanish mother, has penned a deal with Deportivo, La Liga winners in 2000 following their promotion from the second division.

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Aged 37, he is full of excitement for his new challenge - which gets underway with an opening weekend clash against Elche at Estadio Riazor on Monday evening.

Speaking on a La Liga media call, Aubameyang said: “I think the position of Deportivo is a nice one. It’s a new experience with a historic club.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting season because they want me to play a key role with my experience in the game.

“I’m happy to be here in La Liga because it’s a nice league. I’m happy to be back because I have Spanish blood in my veins.

“I’m really happy to be back and as I said, I can bring my experience. Let’s see how it works.”

Deportivo are the 12th club in Aubameyang's career and he was not short of others elsewhere. However, he felt Deportivo offered a special type of challenge at this stage of his career.

He continued: “The passion is still there definitely otherwise I would choose another challenge because I had a few others.

“I still want to challenge myself and I think this one is a special challenge to try and bring back the club to its best.

“20 years of my career, I’m still hungry for more. I’m still hungry to score goals, do some celebrations, give some assists and enjoy the game the best.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang excited to reunite with ex Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino

Aubameyang is one of seven new additions made by Deportivo but one of their top stars is Charlie Patino, who came through the Arsenal academy and was called "the best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End".

Loaned out to Blackpool and Swansea, he only made two appearances for Arsenal - scoring on his senior debut against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup.

But Patino, who has represented England at youth level but has Spanish citizenship, took the plunge in signing permanently for Deportivo when they were in the second tier.

He helped the Galician outfit return to the big-time last season and Aubameyang has noticed significant changes to the youngster he knew back in North London.

“The kid has grown up and I think he is getting better as he’s getting more experience," he stated.

"I’m happy to be back with him because he’s a really good guy.

“I saw him when he started as a professional and it makes me happy to have him back in the team.

“We talk a lot and we laugh a lot about times in Arsenal. He is getting more experience and I think this is good for him.”