Advertisement

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang undergoing tests after Arsenal striker sent home from AFCON due to health issues

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in London to undergo examinations after he was forced to withdraw from the Africa Cup of Nations due to health issues.

Aubameyang, who contracted Covid-19 upon arriving at the tournament in Cameroon this month, was sent home by Gabon last week due to what they described as “cardiac lesions”.

Arteta has said Arsenal have not had “any clarity” from Gabon over the issue and Aubameyang has duly returned to England for testing.

Former Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina was also sent home by Gabon due to similar health issues after testing positive for Covid-19.

“He is in London and now he is going through some examinations, because we haven’t had any clarity from the Gabon national team about the reasons why he came back,” Arteta said of Aubameyang on Wednesday.

“So obviously it is our obligation to make sure that medically the player is safe, he is in good condition and [there are] not any issues related to that - and to try to avoid any suggestion that is the case.

“So far historically everything we have done with the player, he has never had an issue. Hopefully that is the case.”

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Asked about the prospect of Aubameyang returning to AFCON, Arteta said: “That’s the situation that we have, he contracted Covid and then the national team decided to bring him back here and this is where we are.

“Let’s go step by step and do the right examinations and make sure the player’s health is in the best possible condition, and then we’ll see what happens.”