Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang loves superheroes. And on Thursday night, he became one for Arsenal fans as he helped overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit to beat Rennes 3-0 and progress to the Europa League quarter-finals.
The 29-year-old scored as twice and also teed up Ainsley Maitland-Niles as Arsenal kept their chances of a big trophy this season alive. The Gunners quickly had the early goal they sought to get back in the tie as Aaron Ramsey’s low cross was swept home by Aubameyang.
The French-born Gabon international was also involved in Arsenal’s second 10 minutes later as well. And 18 minutes from time, Arsenal had a cushion when Sead Kolasinac’s wonderful low cross left Aubameyang with a simple task to tap home his 22nd goal of the season.
Then came the celebrations, the kind he had popularised during his time at Dortmund. He pulled out a Black Panther mask, from the Oscar-nominated Marvel film and did the crossed-handed gesture that has come to be seen as a ‘Black Power salute’.
“I needed a mask which represents me and that’s the Black Panther. In Gabon, we call the national team the Panthers,” he said after the match.
The striker has previously celebrated goals with Batman and Spiderman masks, but this one was special to him. He even changed his social media photos to show his new mask.
"I needed a mask which represents me. It’s the Black Panther and in Africa, in Gabon, we call the national team the Black Panthers of Gabon... It represents me."
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 14, 2019
🗣 @Aubameyang7 pic.twitter.com/HJfJFDVRYx
💥💥 Get in! Big effort on both ends of the pitch tonight, quarter-finals here we are! 👊🏼 #BlackPanther aka @Aubameyang7 is there when you need him 😂 #COYG #UEL #GibGäs #SeoKol @EuropaLeague @arsenal pic.twitter.com/2Kw07FFcDb
— Sead Kolašinac (@seadk6) March 14, 2019
Here’s a look at how at how Aubameyang’s superheros masks have evolved, from Dortmund to Arsenal and DC to Marvel.
🇬🇦 @Aubameyang7's masked goal celebrations:
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 14, 2019
⚽ Hypervenom
🕷 Spider-Man
🦇 Batman
🙅♂️ Wakanda Forever
✅ Another one to add to the list. pic.twitter.com/wbTId2SCYA
The many identities of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 👊 pic.twitter.com/zIssF3w5Ub
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 14, 2019
Name a cooler striker than Aubameyang.
— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) March 14, 2019
I'll wait. pic.twitter.com/tkgfiE4k47
The masked man, @Aubameyang7 💯 pic.twitter.com/BW6CnZ1yax
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 14, 2019
The ‘Wakanda forever’ celebration was actually planned to be for a more iconic night, but he didn’t get to use it against Manchester United last week when they ended their unbeaten run.
He couldn't find his mask against #mufc but #BlackPanther Aubameyang was #afc's superhero tonight #ARSREN https://t.co/jTU3BU7Aj3
— Paul Brown (@pbsportswriter) March 14, 2019
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had this mask ready when he came off the bench to take the penalty in the final moments of the north London derby, according to @MarkyMBryans. He missed the penalty and didn't get to wear the mask. Also, a reminder that this man soon turns 30. pic.twitter.com/vUGtIaewq5
— Daily Hotspur (@Daily_Hotspur) March 14, 2019
Aubameyang -"I just moved house and I found it but I want to change. I want a new mask, need something that represents me."
— Arsenal Editor (@Arsenal_Editor) March 14, 2019
Last week chances were, we would've seen the mask celebration but who knows Vs Rennes we might see it!
What do you think will be Auba's next mask!?👇 pic.twitter.com/uetTjbIWc7
We were patient enough... We've got a superhero #Aubameyang #ARSREN pic.twitter.com/7JW4aiAchi
— Night King 🇳🇬 (@nifemicoded) March 14, 2019
Leaving you with this compilation of his goal celebrations in Bundesliga