Arsenal: You don’t come to the Emirates for the money

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has had to defend his move to Arsenal, but this is easily done, because no one comes here for the money.

Arsenal superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has gotten into a bit of a squabble with Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. The Dortmund CEO claims that Aubameyang only moved to the Emirates for the money, while Aubameyang called Watzke a clown, and insisted this was not the case.

This is such an easy point to refute. Simply put, no one really comes to the Emirates for the money. Because wage structure isn’t just a train wreck here at Arsenal, but the opportunity for a massive contract is incredibly slim.

Mesut Ozil is the one exception, and after he leaves, it’s unlikely that anyone will be given such a massive deal again, since it’s been such a train wreck.

All things considered, the Gunners are not among the biggest spenders in the league. It was a complete and utter shock that they managed to nab Nicolas Pepe, who broke the club record of £72m.

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But then you look at clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, and that’s where you get those big spenders. That’s where you get ridiculous wages for international superstars.

Or you go to China. Aubameyang has had countless opportunity to go to China and earn a lot more money than he is making wearing the red and white.

No, Aubameyang didn’t come to the Emirates for the money Mr. Watske, because that just doesn’t happen. They come to the Emirates because they want to believe in something. They want to be a part of something. And sure, the club is in a rebuild, but the caliber of players still coming to the club should be a clear indication that very few see the recent Champions League drought as a deterrent.

Everyone knows where this club belongs, everyone knows that they will get back there, and Aubameyang knew that too. That’s why he chose to come here. That’s why he chose to stay here when China came calling. And that’s why Aubameyang is spot on in his assessment of Watzke’s likeness to a clown.

Personally, my favorite bit was Aubameyang outright telling Watzke to leave him alone. It’s pretty sad when a club CEO has to be told by a former player to leave him alone. That’s a pretty telling indication that you are, in fact, a clown.