Arsenal FC Rumors: Gunners Clueless On Aubameyang Return, Awaiting Update

Arsenal FC will have to find ways to survive for now without its captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon captain begged off from their FA Cup match hours before facing Southampton Saturday. The Gunners lost 1-0 and got knocked off in the fourth round.

Arsenal will face Southampton again on Tuesday, and there is a possibility that the 31-year-old striker will remain out for the club. When asked about his availability, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that he has not gotten any update and will wait until Aubameyang resolves the issue, Sky Sports reported.

"I don't know," Arteta stated. "He needs to address that issue, we'll see how it evolves.”

Aubameyang is believed to be addressing a personal matter and this was the reason why he was sent back, according to a club statement released before Saturday's FA Cup match. Regardless, Arteta said they will continue to support the Gabon national, who needs to take his time and address the matter.

“We’re here and we have to support him, and he needs to take the time that is needed because that is a priority at the moment,” Arteta said.

For now, the best Arteta and the Gunners can do is wait and hope that Aubameyang can resolve the personal issue that needs his attention. Arteta is hoping to get some kind of update this weekend.

"Since last night I don't have any news," Arteta stated. "I will probably get a few phone calls today and see where we are with everything."

Arteta needs all the help he can get as he has come under fire for his alleged poor recruitment process. That includes the record-signing of Nicolas Pepe and Willian, who have so far failed to perform well and have little impact on the Gunners thus far.

Arsenal got a bit of financial flexibility when they were able to settle the contracts of Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Ozil is expected to strike a deal with Turkish team Fenerbahce, while Papastathopoulos has multiple teams interested in signing him.

Martin Odegaard was singled out as a possible target, although little has developed. Arsenal has until Feb. 1, the last day of this transfer window, to figure out who they will take in.