Paul Merson, Arsenal former midfielder, has compared Aubameyang’s Barcelona adventure to Odemwingie’s failed QPR move in 2013
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has described Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s trip to Barcelona yesterday to former Nigerian forward, Peter Odemwingie’s failed adventure to QPR in 2013.
He made the comparison while analyzing the two scenarios on Sky Sports, saying the wantaway striker acted like he was going down for a “takeaway”.
The 32-year-old eventually sealed a move to Barcelona before the transfer window closed on Monday night, unlike Odemwingie, who became an outcast at West Brom.Albion after his move failed.
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However, before the deal was agreed between Arsenal and Barcelona, Aubameyang had travelled to Spain without the Gunners’ permission, which Merson found funny.
Aubameyang and Coach Mikel Arteta have not had the best of relationship since the latter stripped the Gabon captain of the captain’s armband at the Emirate and left him out of the team for 10 games as a disciplinary measure for an infraction.
Merson compared his journey to Spain to that of Odemwingie, whose behaviour on the deadline day of January 2013 was quite similar and grabbed the headlines of that transfer window.
Odemwingie had driven down all the way from West Brom to QPR in London to sign for the club but was denied entry after West Brom said they did not sanction the move through an official statement.
The two adventures are similar because just like Aubameyang, Odemwingie had not been permitted to speak with the London club.
The former Dortmund attacker eventually completed his move to Barcelona, the Nigerian was denied the opportunity of signing for QPR.
While describing the two scenarios, Paul Mereon said, “That is like Odemwingie going down to Loftus Road and saying I am just going down for a takeaway,”
