Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has revealed that the Gunners squad were keen for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the club in January.
The Gabon international's £350k-a-week contract at the Emirates was terminated in the final knockings of the winter window to allow him to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Aubameyang's departure came in the wake of Mikel Arteta stripping him of the captaincy for multiple disciplinary breaches, and Gabriel has now confirmed that the only issues behind the scenes were between the striker and the staff.
Speaking to the Oh My Goal podcast, Gabriel said: "Aubameyang is in my heart, we all wanted him at Arsenal. It's something that happened between him and the coaching staff, the other players weren't in it.
"I said goodbye to him before he left, I hope he enjoys Barcelona, he is a very nice person with a big heart and I love him very much."
Aubameyang left Arsenal after scoring 92 goals and setting up 21 more in 163 appearances for the club in all tournaments, and he already has four strikes from five games at Barcelona.
Ben Knapton
