Former Arsenal striker shines at Barcelona, scores a brace

Former Arsenal and now Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in top form in the Spanish La Liga on Sunday evening after he scored a brace in the Catalans 4-1 win against Valencia.

The match saw the Catalans defeat Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, thanks to two goals from Aubameyang and a goal each from Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.

Aubameyang’s brace against Valencia means he is now the second Barcelona player to score a brace in his first La Liga start in the 21st century, according to OptaJose.

The record revealed that the first Barcelona player to achieve that feat before Aubameyang was Francisco Trincão, who scored a brace against Alavés in February 2021.

Aubameyang is expected to return to action when the Catalans play Italian side Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Gabon international moved to Camp Nou from Arsenal last January transfer window after his contract was terminated at the Emirate stadium.

During his last few months at Arsenal, coach Mikel Arteta dropped Aubameyang out of his squad, thus limiting his playing chances.