Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said the chance to be reunited with Henrikh Mkhitaryan was "a big factor" in his decision to join Arsenal.
The striker became Arsenal's record signing when he joined in a £56 million deal from Borussia Dortmund on transfer deadline day -- one week after Mkhitaryan arrived in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez.
The duo enjoyed a prolific partnership when playing together at Dortmund, and Aubameyang said he and the Armenian talked about the move before agreeing the switch.
"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," Aubameyang said on the Arsenal Weekly podcast.
"It's like [being reunited with] a brother. It's a good friend. We played together in the past and I'm really happy to see him again."
The pair didn't take long to re-establish their connection on the pitch. On their full debuts against Everton on Saturday, Mkhitaryan set up Aubameyang for Arsenal's fourth goal in a 5-1 win. Both were also involved in Arsenal's first goal, with Mkhitaryan finishing with three assists in total.
"We understand each other on and off the pitch, so I think that's why it's a little bit easier on the pitch," Aubameyang said.