Player Mikel Arteta released at Arsenal now breaks an all-time European record

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Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had a strong goal record for most of his career, and he is now finding form again.

Aubameyang was an incredibly popular figure during his first few seasons at Arsenal, in which he won a Premier League Golden Boot and carried the Gunners to FA Cup glory, as one of the best pure goalscorers in the World.

However, attitude problems coincided with a dip in form after signing a bumper new contract to stay at the club, and 18 months after committing his future to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta had stripped him of the captain’s armband and exiled him from the squad, before allowing him to join Barcelona for free after terminating his contract.

Aubameyang lasted six months at Barcelona in what was a fairly successful move before returning to London with Chelsea, in what was a disaster. He then joined other former Arsenal outcasts in Sead Kolasinac and Matteo Guendouzi at Olympique Marseille, and he is now thriving in France again.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang becomes Europa League all-time top scorer

Marseille thrashed Villarreal in their Europa League round of 16 knockout tie last night, with Aubameyang scoring twice in a 4-0 victory.

His first goal was the record breaker, as he overtook former Celtic and Barcelona star Henrik Larsson as the all-time record goalscorer in the UEFA Cup and Europa League.

His second was a stunner, as he chipped Pepe Reina from a tight angle with his weak foot to seal what was a remarkable victory.

Aubameyang now has 33 goals in 57 games in the Europa League across a range of clubs. Some of the stars he has overtaken in recent months include Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Romelu Lukaku and Radamel Falcao.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sensational goal record

With Arsenal keen on adding a goalscorer to their squad, many will highlight Aubameyang, but even now, he simply did not fit Arteta’s requirements as a number nine, and his attitude meant he was rightfully removed from his role as captain.

However, there is no denying how good his goal record has been over the years. He scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists for Arsenal in just 163 appearances, a record that would appear even better without his underwhelming final year.

This season he has scored 21 times in 36 games across all competitions, and 14 of his 33 Europa League goals came in just 26 appearances in the competition for Arsenal.

Aubameyang’s Arsenal highlights include four goals across the semi-final and final of the FA Cup, as well as a hattrick in the Europa League semi-final against Valencia.

Whilst he was not a well-rounded centre-forward in the mould of Gabriel Jesus, his goal record at the majority of his clubs in systems which suit him is very impressive.