Aubameyang rolling back the years as Deportivo make flying start

At 37, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is showing that his goalscoring instincts are still very much alive.

The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea striker has made a sensational start to life at Deportivo La Coruña, scoring in each of the club’s opening three league matches before producing an even bigger performance against Villarreal on Saturday.

Aubameyang scored and provided two assists as Deportivo came from behind twice to beat Villarreal 3-2 away from home. His winning goal arrived two minutes from full time, taking his tally to four goals in four La Liga appearances.

His earlier goals came against Elche and Málaga, both 1-1 draws, before he scored again in Deportivo’s first victory of the season — a 3-1 win over Valencia.

The Villarreal performance, however, was perhaps the most impressive of the lot. Aubameyang was involved in all three goals, combining his familiar finishing ability with creativity and experience.

Deportivo are making their return count

Deportivo, back in La Liga after years away from Spain’s top flight, have quickly shown they are not simply happy to be back.

They remain unbeaten after four matches, with their latest victory coming against a Villarreal side that had dominated possession but could not contain Deportivo’s attack.

Much of that attacking threat has centred around Aubameyang.

The Gabonese veteran arrived from Marseille in the summer, and his explosive start has immediately made him one of the most intriguing players of Deportivo’s return to La Liga.

For a player who has spent much of his career competing at the highest level, there is something fitting about Aubameyang becoming the face of another Deportivo adventure.

At 37, he is proving that the pace may have slowed slightly — but the goals, movement and instinct inside the penalty area certainly have not.