Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal has left his Dortmund baffled

Borussia Dortmund forward Andre Schurrle has said that the protracted saga over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal has left fellow Dortmund players shaking their heads in disbelief.

‘It’s been a big issue in the team,’ said Schurrle after his team’s 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin on Friday evening. ‘It’s caused unrest, and left us shaking our heads.’

Schurrle filled in at number nine against Hertha after Aubameyang was left out of the squad for a second week in a row.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Arsenal has left Borussia Dortmund players baffled 

The Gabonese striker looks certain to join Arsenal in the next few days, with Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc travelling to London on Saturday.

The discussions over Aubameyang’s future have now cast a shadow over Dortmund for weeks.

‘It hasn’t been easy to concentrate on football because there’s only been one topic off the pitch,’ admitted Schurrle.

The Gabonese striker looks certain to join Premier League Arsenal in the next few days

The Gabonese striker looks certain to join Premier League Arsenal in the next few days

Aubameyang’s behaviour and poor discipline has worsened things this month, and Schurrle said that the squad had tried to talk to him about the situation, but have struggled to get through to him.

‘We’ve often tried to influence him in team meetings,’ said Schurrle. ‘When you talk to him, he’s a great guy. Everything seems ok, but you never know what’s going on in his head.’

Aubameyang made more negative headlines on Friday, after he was snapped playing five-a-side in Dortmund while his team were playing Hertha.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc will fly to London on Saturday to negotiate

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc will fly to London on Saturday to negotiate

‘Maybe he thought he needed to get some extra practice in,’ joked Schurrle.

To make matters worse, Aubameyang was playing in a Dortmund shirt with the name ‘Dembele’ on the back. Only last summer, it was Ousmane Dembele causing unrest in the Dortmund squad by pushing for a move to Barcelona. Now it is Aubameyang, and the irony of his choice of shirt will not have escaped him.

With the transfer set to go through soon, Schurrle added that it ‘would be better for everyone if it happens quickly.’

Andre Schurrle (centre right) says the potential move has left team-mates shocked

Andre Schurrle (centre right) says the potential move has left team-mates shocked

The former Chelsea man also reserved some praise for English youngster Jadon Sancho, who made his second Bundesliga start in Berlin.

Sancho provided the assist for Dortmund’s second half equaliser, and Schurrle was impressed with the 17-year-old.

‘He did well, he was calm on the ball. There are a few things in his game which need work but he did very well today with the assist.’



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