Key Points
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, former Arsenal captain, named Ousmane Dembélé as his best ever teammate, overlooking stars from his time at the Gunners.
- Aubameyang and Dembélé formed a strong partnership at Borussia Dortmund, where their friendship endures to this day.
- The statement came during a recent online interaction, as reported across multiple outlets including Just Arsenal and Yardbarker.
- Aubameyang enjoyed a productive spell at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger and Mikel Arteta, scoring prolifically with support from talented teammates.
- His relationship with Mikel Arteta deteriorated, leading to his departure from Arsenal in 2022.
- Despite leaving Arsenal, Aubameyang affirmed “London is red,” prioritising Arsenal over Chelsea despite playing for both London clubs.
- In a separate response, Aubameyang listed Dembélé among the top three playmakers he has played with, alongside Mesut Özil and Marco Reus.
- Aubameyang stated: “I played with a lot of good players, but I would say [Ousmane] Dembele.”
- He praised Dembélé further: “He won the Ballon d’Or after a great season with PSG, he is at the peak of his career, I trust he will continue to shine.”
- Aubameyang’s Arsenal teammates he snubbed include high-profile players like Mesut Özil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared the pitch with several gifted individuals during his time at the club, contributing to team progress.
- Aubameyang’s career post-Arsenal included spells at Barcelona (13 goals in 24 matches), Chelsea, Olympique de Marseille, and currently with Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia.
- The revelation has sparked discussions among Arsenal fans about his legacy at the club.
Arsenal, (North London News) March 14, 2026 – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former Arsenal striker whose tenure at the Emirates Stadium ended amid controversy, has stirred debate by naming Ousmane Dembélé as his best ever teammate, sidelining the array of stars he played alongside during his productive years in North London.
As reported by the team at Just Arsenal, Aubameyang enjoyed significant success at Arsenal, becoming one of the team’s most influential attacking players under managers Arsène Wenger and Mikel Arteta. His goal-scoring prowess – aided by creative teammates – marked a stable and high-achieving phase in his career, with notable individual accolades to his name. However, expectations that he might honour an Arsenal colleague were dashed when he opted for his Borussia Dortmund partner.
Who Did Aubameyang Name as His Best Teammate?
Aubameyang explicitly selected Ousmane Dembélé, the French winger currently shining at Paris Saint-Germain, as the standout player he has shared a pitch with. According to coverage in Yardbarker, which syndicated content from Just Arsenal, the pair forged a “strong connection” at Borussia Dortmund, a bond that “remains strong to this day.” The Gabon international’s choice underscores the value he places on their early-career partnership in the Bundesliga.
In a detailed account from DAZN News GB, Aubameyang responded to a fan query on a chat platform, stating:
“I played with a lot of good players, but I would say him,”
referring directly to Dembélé. He elaborated in a follow-up, positioning Dembélé as one of the three best playmakers alongside Arsenal’s Mesut Özil and Dortmund’s Marco Reus. This attribution highlights the context of an interactive session where Aubameyang fielded questions from supporters.
Furthermore, as quoted in Bongda24h.vn, Aubameyang praised Dembélé’s recent achievements:
“I played with a lot of good players, but I will choose Dembele. He has won the Ballon d’Or after a great season with PSG, he is currently at the peak of his career, I trust him to continue shining in the time ahead.”
This statement, translated from Vietnamese coverage, captures Aubameyang’s optimism about Dembélé’s trajectory following his reported Ballon d’Or success.
Why Did Aubameyang Snub Arsenal Stars?
Arsenal fans might have anticipated a nod to teammates like Mesut Özil, whose playmaking directly fed Aubameyang’s goals, or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s captaincy era colleagues. As detailed in Just Arsenal’s original reporting, Aubameyang
“benefited from players around him who created opportunities and strengthened the overall team dynamic”
during his time under Arteta and Wenger. Yet, he bypassed these North London luminaries for his Dortmund days.
The snub gains context from Aubameyang’s Arsenal journey, where he transitioned from Wenger’s tenure – marked by stability and high output – to a strained relationship with Mikel Arteta. Disciplinary issues led to his stripping of the captaincy and mutual contract termination in January 2022, paving the way for a free transfer to Barcelona. Coverage in Yardbarker notes this deterioration
“ultimately leading to his departure from the club,”
framing why Arsenal links might not top his reflections.
Despite the fallout, Aubameyang’s fondness for Arsenal persists. When queried on whether “London is red or blue” – alluding to the Arsenal-Chelsea rivalry – he firmly declared “London is red.” Having donned the shirts of both clubs, this preference signals Arsenal’s enduring place in his heart over his subsequent Chelsea stint.
What Was Aubameyang’s Time at Arsenal Like?
Aubameyang arrived at Arsenal in January 2018 for a club-record £56 million from Borussia Dortmund, quickly establishing himself as a key attacker. Under Arsène Wenger initially, then Mikel Arteta, he netted 92 goals in 163 appearances, including the 2019-20 FA Cup triumph where he was top scorer. Just Arsenal emphasises how
“his performances reflected both his own quality and the support of talented teammates,”
enabling prolific scoring.
Teammates like Özil provided the service, while others bolstered the squad’s progress during his stay. Aubameyang captained the side until late 2020, but form dips and off-field matters soured ties with Arteta. As per Yardbarker, Arsenal “have long sought to recruit high-quality players,” and Aubameyang’s era exemplified that ambition amid on-pitch advances.
Post-departure, his career zigzagged: 13 goals in 24 Barcelona games before Chelsea in 2022, then Marseille – where he broke UEFA Europa League scoring records – and now Al-Qadsiah. UEFA.com’s 2024 interview with Aubameyang at Marseille praised coach Jean-Louis Gasset for restoring his serenity:
“He has brought serenity to the team… He put me in my favourite position.”
How Has This Affected Arsenal Fans?
The revelation has ignited online discourse, with Arsenal supporters dissecting Aubameyang’s legacy. Metro’s reporting, cited in Just Arsenal, underscores the surprise given his “notable individual success” at the Gunners. Facebook posts from ArsenalMetro amplified the quote, drawing fan reactions to the Dortmund preference.
Neutral observers note it reflects personal affinities over club loyalty. Aubameyang’s “London is red” retort softens any perceived slight, reaffirming Arsenal’s status among his career highlights. Yardbarker concludes:
“His performances and relationships at Arsenal continue to influence how he reflects on his career.”
What Is Dembélé’s Career Highlighted by Aubameyang?
Ousmane Dembélé, whom Aubameyang champions, exploded at Dortmund before Barcelona, enduring injuries but reviving at PSG. Aubameyang’s Ballon d’Or nod – if realised – crowns a “great season,” placing him at career zenith. Their Dortmund synergy, alongside Reus, evidently left an indelible mark.
Broader Context of Aubameyang’s Reflections?
Beyond teammates, Aubameyang has commented on modern football’s fixture congestion as the “greatest challenge,” per DAZN. His nomadic path – Dortmund, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Marseille, Saudi Arabia – informs such views. Galatasaray’s Mario Lemina recently echoed teammate praise themes, naming Victor Osimhen tops over Aubameyang, though unrelated directly.
