Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Arsenal have moved on quickly to benefit from separation

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw his Arsenal career come to a bitter end after his falling out with Mikel Arteta.

The Gabon international enjoyed a successful spell at the Emirates Stadium, even with a relatively disappointing season of last.

Aubameyang scored 68 goals in 128 Premier League games, and his form saw him made captain after he earned a second contract.

But that captaincy was stripped after he fell out with Arteta, and he was moved on for free shortly after.

Aubameyang and Arsenal agreed to part ways, and after the contract was cancelled, the experienced striker joined Barcelona on a free transfer.

Since then, Aubameyang has enjoyed a fine run of form for his new club, scoring no less than five goals in six games all of which have come in his last three games.

The 32-year-old has been key in the Blaugrana’s recent revival under Xavi Hernandez, and he even managed a hat-trick in their win over Valencia just under two weeks ago.

Barca have won three games on the bounce by scoring four goals, defeating Valencia, Napoli and most recently Athletic Club,

Aubameyang scored in that win on Sunday, turning home a rebound with a nice adjustment and volley from relatively close range.

The former Gunners striker will be hoping to kick on from here, and he has already put his troubled Arsenal ending behind him.

Asked about Arteta and his falling out in a recent interview with Sport, he said: “Things can happen like that. Good moments also happened with him.

“I have learned that you have to give your best on the grass, and many concepts in training.

“Also, I learned to be a captain.”

As far as Arsenal are concerned, they haven’t really missed Aubameyang, continuing their own good form, and they will likely sign a striker in the summer, while saving a significant salary along the way.

If a lack of goals proves the difference in the top four race, the Gunners will look back on this situation very differently.

But for the moment, with Arsenal on course to finish fourth, it seems the separation has worked out well for both parties, and that’s quite nice to see in a sport where things can go very wrong and very quickly for either a player or a club.