Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: From Dortmund Dynamo to Marseille Leader

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains one of modern football’s most compelling forwards, combining raw pace with a striker’s instinct that has kept him among Europe’s elite for well over a decade. This in-depth profile explores his journey, season-by-season numbers, and the qualities that make the Gabonese captain an enduring headline-maker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Career Path at a Glance

Born in Laval, France, in 1989 to a Gabonese father and Spanish mother, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grew up in Italy and France before signing his first professional contract with AC Milan in 2007. A series of Ligue 1 loans at Dijon, Lille, Monaco, and ultimately Saint-Étienne shaped his game, paving the way for a €13 million move to Borussia Dortmund in 2013. There, he morphed into a global star, netting 141 goals in 213 appearances and winning the 2016–17 Bundesliga Golden Boot.

Stat Breakdown by Club and Competition

Borussia Dortmund (2013–2018)

• Bundesliga: 144 matches, 98 goals
• German Cup & Super Cup: 32 matches, 20 goals
• UEFA Champions League/Europa League: 37 matches, 23 goals

Arsenal (2018–2022)

• Premier League: 128 matches, 68 goals
• FA Cup & Community Shield: 15 matches, 10 goals
• European competitions: 26 matches, 14 goals

FC Barcelona (Jan 2022–Aug 2022)

• La Liga: 18 matches, 11 goals
• Europa League: 6 matches, 2 goals

Chelsea (2022–2023)

• Premier League: 15 matches, 1 goal
• Domestic/European cups: 5 matches, 2 goals

Olympique de Marseille (2023–Present)

• Ligue 1: 25 matches, 14 goals*
• Europa League: 10 matches, 7 goals*
*Stats current to April 2024.

Why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Thrives Wherever He Plays

Elite Movement and Timing

Aubameyang’s greatest weapon is his off-the-ball movement. Whether starting wide or through the middle, he times diagonal runs behind defenders with stunning precision, exploiting high defensive lines.

Explosive Acceleration

His 30-metre sprint was once clocked faster than Usain Bolt’s split at the same distance. Even at 34, he still accelerates quickly enough to trouble younger centre-backs.

Two-Footed Finishing

Although naturally right-footed, the striker is equally comfortable striking with his left. Over 30 percent of his career goals have arrived from his weaker side, a statistic that forces defenders to guess.

Season-by-Season Highlights Including Primary Focus Keyword

2016-17: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 31 league strikes, dethroning Robert Lewandowski and guiding Dortmund to a German Cup triumph.
2019-20: At Arsenal, he scores twice in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, securing Mikel Arteta’s first trophy.
2021-22: After a brief contract standoff, he departs North London and scores a memorable Clasico brace for Barcelona.
2023-24: Leading Marseille’s front line, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang records double figures in both Ligue 1 and Europe, reminding critics of his enduring quality.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Numbers

• Total senior goals: 331
• International goals for Gabon: 30 (all-time national record)
• Hat-tricks: 17
• Career trophies: 8 (including league titles, cups, and a Community Shield)
• Shots on target percentage (career average): 53 %

The Leadership Factor

Beyond the raw numbers, teammates praise his multilingual ability—he speaks French, English, Spanish, and Italian—and easy social confidence. Those traits have helped younger talents at Dortmund (Christian Pulisic), Arsenal (Bukayo Saka), and now Marseille (Iliman Ndiaye) settle faster.

Challenges and Criticism

Injury niggles and managerial conflicts have occasionally dented his reputation. A disciplinary breach at Arsenal saw him stripped of the captaincy in 2021, and his lone season at Chelsea was underwhelming. Yet every time critics write him off, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang responds with goals.

What’s Next for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

With Marseille pushing for a Champions League return, the veteran striker still dreams of lifting silverware in France—a trophy cabinet gap he’s eager to fill. Contracted until 2026, he could eclipse the 400-goal mark if he maintains current form.

Quick Comparison With Contemporary Forwards

Goal Ratio

Aubameyang: 0.61 goals per game
Harry Kane: 0.63
Robert Lewandowski: 0.70

Average Shot Distance

Aubameyang’s average shot comes from 12.8 metres, tighter than both Kane and Lewandowski, underscoring his poacher instincts.

Opinion: Aubameyang’s Legacy Is Secure

While pace merchants often fade rapidly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reinvented himself through refined positioning and clinical finishing. He may not dominate back pages like in his Dortmund peak, but his numbers show a player who still bends games to his will. Expect more late-career fireworks before he finally hangs up those strikingly coloured boots.