Arteta Makes Plea to Arsenal Fans About Aubameyang Ahead of Striker’s Return to Emirates

• Aubameyang is expected to be part of Chelsea's contingent ahead of their EPL clash against Arsenal at the Emirates
• This will be the striker's first trip to the Emirates since he departed Arsenal back in January 2022
• Auba quit the Gunners for Barcelona after he fell out with the north Londoners' boss, Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has pleaded with Arsenal fans to accord Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a warm reception ahead of the striker's return to the Emirates.

Aubameyang left Arsenal in the winter transfer window of 2022 after a fallout with Arteta, with the forward sealing a sensational free transfer move to Barcelona.

According to Sky Sports, Aubameyang had spent four years at the Emirates Stadium, having joined the Gunners in 2018 from Borussia Dortmund before he departed by mutual consent.

His departure came just a month after Arteta had stripped him of the captaincy following an alleged disciplinary issue.

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While he was a massive hit at the Camp Nou, Auba made a sensational return to the Premier League with Chelsea, barely six months after he had joined Barcelona.

Auba set for Emirates return

The former Dortmund attacker is now in line to make a return to the Emirates Stadium, almost a year and a half since he quit Arsenal.

The 33-year-old is expected to be part of Chelsea's squad that will face off against Arteta's men in a London derby scheduled for Tuesday night, May 2.

The Mirror reports that Arteta has since called on Arsenal fans to roll out the welcome mat for their former striker ahead of their awkward reunion.

“Let's say thank you, pay respect and gratitude for what he was. He was an incredible player for us, scored a lot of goals, he was our captain, and he deserves that," Arteta said ahead of the Premier League cracker.

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Auba wants Barca return

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly tired of sitting on the bench at Premier League side Chelsea and wants to lower his salary so as for him to make a return to La Liga giants Barcelona.

Last summer, Chelsea paid Barcelona the sum of £10 million for the signature of Aubameyang with the hopes that the Gabonese striker would help them score goals.