Aubameyang admits to Golden Boot target with Arsenal despite being ‘team player’

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits to having entered the final day of the Premier League season with the Golden Boot in mind.

The Gabonese insists he is a “team player”, but was determined to chase down the individual prize for top scorer over the course of the season.

He was able to hit that target after bagging a brace in a 3-1 victory away at Burnley.

Aubameyang’s efforts took him to 22 goals in the English top-flight, with that return enough to see him finish the campaign level with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the top of the scoring charts.

He told BBC Sport afterwards: “I am happy we won, and I am sharing this [Golden Boot] trophy with two other guys I like.

“My team-mates knew about the Golden Boot, I said nothing.

“I did not want them to play and only focus on me. I am a team player.

“The team have had a great season but last month it has not been the best in the league.”

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Arsenal ended the Premier League season with one win in five, having suffered a wobble at the worst possible time.

Their late stumble ultimately cost them a top-four finish, as Unai Emery’s side finished fifth – a point behind north London neighbours Tottenham.

Champions League qualification may have eluded them down that avenue, but elite continental competition can still be secured for 2019-20.

That is because the Gunners are readying themselves for a Europa League final date with Chelsea on May 29.

Aubameyang helped to fire them to that showpiece with a hat-trick against Valencia in the second leg of a semi-final encounter.

Having maintained that scoring form against Burnley, he will be hoping to have at least one more effort in him when taking on domestic rivals in Baku.

Arsenal acquired him in January 2018 to provide more of a clinical touch in the final third, and the 29-year-old has not disappointed after striking up a fearsome partnership with fellow frontman Alexandre Lacazette.