Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has admitted that the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan played a "big factor" in his own switch to Arsenal during the January transfer window.

The Gunners rounded off their winter business by bringing in the Gabon international from Borussia Dortmund on deadline day, nine days after Mkhitaryan arrived from Manchester United in a swap deal.

Both players spent time together at the Westfalenstadion, building up an impressive partnership that has already showed promising early signs in North London, with the new recruits playing a key part in Saturday's 5-1 thrashing of Everton.

Aubameyang, who top-scored in the Bundesliga last season, says that the prospect of linking up with the Armenian playmaker for a second time was simply too much to turn down.

"It's like [being reunited with] a brother, a good friend," he told the Arsenal Weekly Podcast. "We played together in the past and I'm really happy to see him again.

"He called me a few times, he asked, 'Will you come or not?' I said, 'First you have to tell me if you sign or not'. He told me all was done and of course it was a big factor in coming here.

"We understand each other on and off the pitch, that's why it's easier on the pitch. [The fans] have to be happy [to see us together], we will do our best of course, like we did in the past."

Mkhitaryan registered a hat-trick of assists on his home debut against Everton, while Aubameyang got off the mark with his first goal for the club.