Alexandre Lacazette has credited Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with making his experience at Arsenal a richer one after the latter left the club to sign Barcelona.
Aubameyang, who arrived at the Emirates six months after Lacazette, has joined Barcelona in a transfer which was sealed when the Gunners terminated his contract after transfer deadline day.
The 31-year-old had fell out with manager Mikel Arteta, being stripped of the captaincy and frozen out of the first-team squad.
But his relationship with Lacazette did not sour, as the French striker - who took the armband in Aubameyang's absence - tweeted : "My bro! Thanks for the last 4 years, my experience in Arsenal would have been different without you...
"Wish you good luck in your next chapter! See you soon."
Join the debate! Will Aubameyang be a success at Barcelona? Comment your prediction below.
Lacazette forged a good relationship with Aubameyang on and off the pitch, with the pair's celebrating becoming a staple image of the post- Arsene Wenger era - the boss who brought each of them to north London.
The new Barcelona striker was unveiled at the Camp Nou on Thursday, where he publicly put his Arsenal exit solely down to Arteta's treatment.
"I think it was a problem just with him," Aubameyang stated. "He made the decision. I can't say much more. He wasn't happy, I stayed very calm and that's it."
The Gabon international added: "It's true that they were complicated months and I think football has these things sometimes."
"But if I have to say something about this topic [leaving Arsenal], it is that I never wanted to do anything wrong on my part, but I think this is the past and I want to think about the present."
Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for the Gunners following his £56million move from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, with an FA Cup win in 2020 which he was central to the highlight of his stint.
His contract with the Blaugrana runs until June 2025 but includes an option to agree a departure in June 2023, plus a buyout clause of €100m (£83.4m).
Aubameyang could make his debut for Xavi Hernandez 's side this Sunday when Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the No.25 says he is "mentally ready" after a two-month absence from club football.
"I am mentally ready because I have clear ideas in my head. I will give it my very best from any position on the field," he affirmed.
"I have spoken to [Barcelona head coach] Xavi and he wants me to be centre forward, but if he ever wants me to play on the wings, I will do that no problem at all."
