LA LIGA THE UGLY
The deadline day arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has gone down as one of the stranger pieces of Barcelona transfer activity in recent seasons. Aubameyang took the controversial step of flying himself out to Barcelona in the final hours of the winter transfer window, with the Arsenal squad away at a warm weather training camp in Dubai, as he tried to force through a move to the Spanish giants. However, despite the traditional back and forth on deadline day, Barcelona confirmed a deal was essentially done as the window slammed shut on January 31. Yet despite eventually securing his ‘dream’ move to Catalonia, the swirling story of his soap opera style exit from Arsenal has dominated the start of his new chapter in Barcelona. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta publicly took the
captain’s armband away from the Gabonese international at the end of 2021, following repeated Covid-19-related rule breaks. Arteta’s hard-line approach extended to omitting him from his squad for over a month, before sanctioning a mutual consent departure for the 32-year-old. Arsenal will continue to pay Aubameyang’s eye watering salary until the end of the season, as the Gunners agreed a financial compromise with Barcelona to secure the deal. But despite an eventual untangling of their ties, Aubameyang was quick to indicate Arteta’s stance was the key factor in his exit from the Emirates Stadium. Barcelona head coach Xavi will hope the lingering animosity between Aubameyang and Arsenal reduces as he settles at the Camp Nou, but the experienced striker will be under immediate pressure to show his enduring class in front of goal and prove Arteta’s instincts wrong.
‘PIERREEMERICK AUBAMEYANG MUST PROVE MIKEL ARTETA WRONG’ Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig was filmed autographing a pig while leaving training. No explanation was given but many observers noted it was simply another normal day at Barcelona, where things are a bit different to other clubs. The 22-yearold came through La Masia and made his debut for Barcelona’s first team toward the end of 2018, but he’s failed to establish a place in the side in the manner younger players like Pedri and Gavi have.
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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2022
FAR LEFT: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a ‘dream’ move from Arsenal to Barcelona ABOVE: Arsenal will be paying Aubameyang's salary until the end of the season LEFT: Mikel Arteta publically removed Aubameyang's captain's band TOP (OPPOSITE PAGE): Gaizka Garitano looks set to lead Eibar back into La Liga BOTTOM (OPPOSITE PAGE): Alessio Lisci has been left with too much to do at struggling Levante
Espanyol midfielder Sergi Darder has opened up about his struggles with mental health and depression in an interview with ESPN’s Sid Lowe with comments carried by Marca. “In 2020 I realised and accepted that I wasn’t well,” Darder said. “I’m not going to use the word depression because there are people who are having a hard time, they’re sick, but I needed help. I wanted to be a footballer, have a house, a car, a family, children. I had everything and I wasn’t happy. I had to change.’’
