Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang Reveals How Close He Came To Signing For Arsenal's Rivals

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have never become Arsenal captain, if only Tottenham Hotspur had remembered to call him back.

Aubameyang is an integral part of Mikel Arteta's team that have really started to turn things around in north London, after losing the opening three games of the season without scoring.

The Gabonese striker was out of form last season, only scoring 10 times in the Premier League, but already has four in 10 games so far this season.

Aubameyang leads a young team well and is a hero at the Emirates Stadium but could have actually been playing down the road at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Asked whether he'd rather retire or play for Spurs, the 32-year-old said, "You don't have to ask the question. You know it already, I would retire," he told Sky Sports, before going to explain how he nearly ended up with Arsenal's rivals.

Aubameyang celebrates scoring against Spurs earlier this season. Image: PA Images

"Even more [so] because a few years ago I was close to signing for Tottenham, but in the end... I don't know what they did. 

"I was in Saint-Etienne I think [at the time], I'm not sure, or at the beginning of [my spell at Borussia] Dortmund. I don't remember exactly. I came here, I went to the stadium as well, to White Hart Lane. 

"The day after they just never gave an answer, they never called back so I was like: 'Ok, don't worry,' so that's why every time I play against them, they know [why I am extra motivated]."

Aubameyang celebrates scoring against Spurs in 2018. Image: PA Images

The former Borussia Dortmund striker's record against Arsenal's closest rivals is pretty good, even scoring past them when he played in Germany.

In 12 meetings against the Gunners' neighbours, Auba has scored eight times, although his teams' records against them in that time aren't as good.

Aubameyang has only been on the winning side four times in the same 12 game period, with only two of those coming for his current team.

There has been one other win for his team in that time, but Aubameyang missed the north London derby last March after arriving late.

If any fans haven't forgiven him for that, they will have now he's explained his extra motivation against Antonio Conte's team.

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

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