‘Vengeful’ Arsenal star Aubameyang determined to ‘change this image’ Gabon fans have of him after self-imposed exile
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has revealed he is determined to “change this image” Gabon fans have of him.
The Arsenal striker, 30, has a point to prove to his nation after coming in from the cold to play for Gabon this week.
Aubameyang scored as his country secured a late win over Burkina Faso in a friendly played just outside of Paris.
Up until Thursday night, the Gunners ace had avoided the national team due to his frosty relationship with the Gabon Football Federation.
In 2018, national chiefs claimed Aubameyang’s father had been named joint-coach of the team – but the Arsenal man slammed them on social media, calling it untrue.
That prompted a self-imposed exile by the Arsenal striker.
Now back with Gabon under new manager Patrice Neveu, Aubameyang revealed: “I’m vengeful. Things haven’t gone well lately [at international level].
“I want to change this image of me that I might have with the national team.
“I would rather show another side as a player in terms of performances.”
Now Aubameyang is looking to the future in a new era and hopes to lead his country to the African Cup of Nations, having missed out on the last edition.
What Aubameyang said on claims his dad was Gabon boss
“You [the Gabon Football Federation] announce to the whole world that my father is going to be national team coach – you don’t even have his agreement.
“The president of the federation called my father and didn’t even ask about his health – even though he is sick at the moment.
“Just going ahead and giving a press conference even though my dad had said he would be giving an answer the next day – which was going to be ‘no’ by the way.
“Not even letting him have the choice to negotiate over his staff for example. Anyway the day the federation stops being amateurish maybe the national team will be able to progress and once against earn some good results.
“You ask yourselves why I have problems with you? Why I don’t want to come and play for the national team? Well you have just shown why once more.”
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The Arsenal star said: “It’s a new dynamic. We leave with a lot of ambitions. First of all we want to continue working.
“We did not qualify for the last Cup of Nations and I know I can give more on the field.”
Aubameyang – who captained Gabon in the 2015 tournament – will next take to the pitch for his country on Tuesday against Morocco in Tangiers.