Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed the reason who turned down both Spain and France to play at international level for Gabon. 

The Gunners striker was born in France to a Spanish mother, making him eligible to represent either country.

However the former Borussia Dortmund star instead chose Gabon, the country of his father.

Aubameyang’s father, also named Pierre, made 80 appearances for the The Panthers and served as the nation’s captain in both the 80’s and 90’s, a time in which he represented a host of club’s in France at domestic level too, including Le Havre and Nice.

And the younger of the Aubameyang’s says it was his father’s achievements with Gabon that made him sure he wanted to represent the African nation instead of Europe’s elite.

“For me, the choice was clear. I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps,” said Aubameyang. “I realized very quickly that in my heart I wanted to emulate my father.”

Aubameyang Jr. has enjoyed a far more fruitful career with Gabon that his father however since his decision to represent them back in 2009.

The Arsenal star is already the country’s top ever scorer with 23 goals in just over 50 appearances, and has helped guide José Antonio Camacho’s side to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2014 – a feat never before achieved by the nation currently ranked 95th in the world by FIFA.

“He taught me so many things about this country as captain of the national team. I lived all the time in France but it’s like I was born in Gabon.” said Aubameyang.

“For me, this choice was easy because my father was my first favorite player. I was in the stadium watching him for the first time when I was maybe three years old, and straight away I knew I wanted to do it like him. That’s it.”