'That's what Barcelona is' - Aubameyang welcomes 'exciting' Lewandowski arrival
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang welcomed the additional competition for a starting spot at Barcelona and said the arrival of Robert Lewandowski "is the raison d'être of the club".
Barca pulled off something of a coup earlier this week when they brought in prolific striker Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to €50m.
Lewandowski beat every other player in Europe's top five leagues last season with 50 goals in 46 appearances, six more than second-best Karim Benzema.
The Polish international's 312 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern and Borussia Dortmund is the second most by any player in the competition's history, behind only Gerd Muller (365).
Lewandowski's arrival could see February signing Aubameyang play a minor role this term, but the former Arsenal man is relishing the chance to bond with his former team-mate.
"I was really excited because I know him well, we played together at Dortmund and had a great time there," Aubameyang told ESPN.
"I was just happy and when it was official we got together and had some fun words about the past.
"I'm really happy because that's how Barcelona will compete, with great strikers and that's what this club is.
"Obviously I think we have more experience, maybe we can do better than in the past at Dortmund, I'm sure.
"Personally, I will try to do my best and I'm sure he will [also]. We hope to have better numbers than in the past."
Aubameyang scored 13 goals in 23 games for Barcelona after arriving at Camp Nou in early February – more than double that of any of his teammates in the same period.
He scored at the rate of one goal every 116 minutes, compared to one goal every 80 minutes for Lewandowski with Bayern over the entire 2021-22 campaign.
However, when asked if he had been informed by head coach Xavi if he would be used alongside Lewandowski, Aubameyang replied: "Yes, a little.
"He was telling all of us that we had to compete this year to win titles. Of course, when you talk about trophies, we need a competitive team.
“That's why we have a lot of forwards, midfielders and defenders. That's the way to get things done this season.”
Ousmane Dembele has also signed a new contract with Barcelona in what has been a positive transfer window, despite the Catalan giants' high-profile financial troubles.
"It's definitely a boost," Aubameyang said of Dembele's new contract. "He's one of the best players I've ever played with.
"I'm sure because his quality is something crazy and every time I play with him I appreciate him on the pitch. I'm really glad he re-signed.
>"Everyone was a little scared because we didn't know if we were going to re-sign or not. In the end, he did.
"I'm sure he knows that Barcelona are one of the best clubs in the world, so this is the place to be."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang welcomed the additional competition for a starting spot at Barcelona and said the arrival of Robert Lewandowski "is the raison d'être of the club".
Barca pulled off something of a coup earlier this week when they brought in prolific striker Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to €50m.
Lewandowski beat every other player in Europe's top five leagues last season with 50 goals in 46 appearances, six more than second-best Karim Benzema.
The Polish international's 312 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern and Borussia Dortmund is the second most by any player in the competition's history, behind only Gerd Muller (365).
Lewandowski's arrival could see February signing Aubameyang play a minor role this term, but the former Arsenal man is relishing the chance to bond with his former team-mate.
"I was really excited because I know him well, we played together at Dortmund and had a great time there," Aubameyang told ESPN.
"I was just happy and when it was official we got together and had some fun words about the past.
"I'm really happy because that's how Barcelona will compete, with great strikers and that's what this club is.
"Obviously I think we have more experience, maybe we can do better than in the past at Dortmund, I'm sure.
"Personally, I will try to do my best and I'm sure he will [also]. We hope to have better numbers than in the past."
Aubameyang scored 13 goals in 23 games for Barcelona after arriving at Camp Nou in early February – more than double that of any of his teammates in the same period.
He scored at the rate of one goal every 116 minutes, compared to one goal every 80 minutes for Lewandowski with Bayern over the entire 2021-22 campaign.
However, when asked if he had been informed by head coach Xavi if he would be used alongside Lewandowski, Aubameyang replied: "Yes, a little.
"He was telling all of us that we had to compete this year to win titles. Of course, when you talk about trophies, we need a competitive team.
“That's why we have a lot of forwards, midfielders and defenders. That's the way to get things done this season.”
Ousmane Dembele has also signed a new contract with Barcelona in what has been a positive transfer window, despite the Catalan giants' high-profile financial troubles.
"It's definitely a boost," Aubameyang said of Dembele's new contract. "He's one of the best players I've ever played with.
"I'm sure because his quality is something crazy and every time I play with him I appreciate him on the pitch. I'm really glad he re-signed.
>"Everyone was a little scared because we didn't know if we were going to re-sign or not. In the end, he did.
"I'm sure he knows that Barcelona are one of the best clubs in the world, so this is the place to be."
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