Arsenal on Wednesday gave the red carpet to former Borussian Dortmund striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, their third signing and most expensive deal of the January transfer window.
Aubameyang signed for a reported club-record £56million.
Simultaneously, the club also jacked up the salary package of midfielder Mesut Ozil, who joined from Real Madrid in 2013, five years ago. Ozil, member of world champions Germany, became Arsenal’s most paid player after he agreed a new contract on Wednesday.
He will earn £350,000 a week.
Aubameyang with Wenger
Mercurial playmaker Ozil has scored 36 goals in 182 appearances and provided a high number of assists.
It was a busy Wednesday for Arsenal as Aubameyang also arrived.
The 28-year-old has joined on a long-term contract for a club-record fee.
On their website, Arsenal described Auba as one of the world’s most highly-rated strikers.
“He scored 98 goals in 144 Bundesliga games for Dortmund and had a hand in 172 goals in 213 matches in all competitions for his former club.
“That works out at an average of 96 minutes per goal or assist”.
Auba is the Gabon captain and all-time top goalscorer, and became the first Gabonese winner of the African Footballer of the Year award in 2015.
Aubameyang’s arrival should see French veteran Olivier Giroud completing the musical chairs by signing for Chelsea even though Arsene Wenger was loathe to let him move to a rival as Sanchez joined Manchester United earlier this month.
However, the French striker is keen to stay in London as he seeks regular first team action to secure his place in France’s World Cup squad.
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Aubameyang will alleviate the pressure on Lacazette although he would be ineligible for the Europa League having already played in the Champions League this campaign.