Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc paid tribute to departing striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but admitted that recent weeks with the new Arsenal striker had been “unpleasant”.
Aubameyang has completed a £56million move to Arsenal, bringing an end to a transfer saga that has engulfed Dortmund for much of the last month.
The Gabon striker was dropped for disciplinary reasons earlier this month and was the subject of opprobrium from his own supporters when he returned to the side last weekend in a 2-2 draw with Freiburg.
Though Aubameyang proved to be a challenging individual off the pitch he was rarely found wanting on it, scoring a goal or providing an assist 172 times in 213 games in all competitions for Dortmund.
“Apart from the unpleasant events of recent weeks, we like to remember that the story of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at BVB for more than four years was a single success story,” Zorc said.
“He has done great things for Borussia Dortmund at this time, scored many important goals and is part of the team that brought the DFB Cup to Dortmund in 2017. We wish Pierre-Emerick all the best for his future at Arsenal. “
His new manager Arsene Wenger is convinced that his new club record signing can score the goals to fire Arsenal back towards the top four.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs for Arsenal - In pictures
Asked what Aubameyang could bring to the side Wenger said he would look to exploit “his pace, his finishing, the quality of his runs, the quality of his reception to crosses.
“His huge physical capacity to repeat runs, which will be important in the Premier League because the physical level is high.”
