Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have nothing left to prove to Arsenal supporters but in Gabon he is eager to change the image that supporters of the national team have of him.
The 30-year-old played his first international friendly for Gabon in over three and a half years on Thursday, scoring a late winner against Burkina Faso in a match that took place just outside Paris.
Aubameyang has had a frosty relationship with the Gabonese Football Federation during his playing career and opted out of several matches last year after his father had been appointed to a coaching role.
Now back in the fold under head coach Patrice Neveu Aubameyang is determined to right the form of a country who failed to qualify for this summer's African Cup of Nations but will hope to reach the 2021 edition, qualifying for which begins next month with an away game against DR Congo.
"I'm vengeful," Aubameyang told reporters after the win against Burkina Faso. "Things haven't gone well lately [at international level].
"I want to change this image of me that I might have with the national team. I would rather show another side as a player in terms of performances."
Aubameyang and Gabon continue their international commitments with a friendly against Morocco in Tangiers on Tuesday and the Arsenal striker, who was named Premier League player of the month this week, is prepared to play a leading role over the coming months.
"It's a new dynamic. We leave with a lot of ambitions. First of all we want to continue working.
"We did not qualify for the last Cup of Nations and I know I can give more on the field."
