Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earns Roberto De Zerbi's respect for display of 'humility' as ex-Arsenal star destroys Ajax in big Champions League win for Marseille

Aubameyang scored a goal and provided two assists in Marseille's 4-0 win over Ajax. Igor Paixao’s early brace set the tone, Mason Greenwood added a third before half-time, and the 36-year-old put the final stamp on the game with a goal in the second half to wrap up a night where OM looked a class above. 

Things looked messy for the French side after their opening Ligue 1 defeat to Rennes, when Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe clashed in the dressing room and were quickly sold. 

Since then, Marseille have looked like a different team. They beat PSG in Le Classique, got an away win against Strasbourg, and then put Ajax under the pump at the Stade Velodrome. Their only setback was a stinging 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid last week.

The former Brighton manager praised the way his players are working and enjoying themselves again, aiming praise at Aubameyang for giving the captain's armband to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg when the midfielder came on in the second half.

"I like the way my players work, the fun they have, and the relationship they create with the fans," he said after the game. "Aubameyang took off his armband when Hojbjerg came on, and he had the humility to give it to him without anyone asking him."

De Zerbi claims it was the end of the transfer window that flipped the mood, adding: "I think something changed when the transfer window ended, when [Nayef] Aguerd, [Benjamin] Pavard, [Matt] O'Riley, [Hamed] Traore, and [Arthur] Vermeeren arrived. That’s where things started. The good mood returned, and the optimism too."

The former Arsenal forward is already repaying the faith placed in him after leaving Saudi side Al-Qadsiah last month and signing a new deal until 2027. Back in familiar colours, Aubameyang has made a bright start with four goals and three assists in seven matches across all competitions, including a goal and two assists in Tuesday's win.

Marseille sit third in Ligue 1 with four wins and two defeats from six matches. They will be looking to keep the run going when they face Metz on October 4. With Aubameyang in form, and De Zerbi spotting a different energy in his squad, OM suddenly feels like a team on the rise again.