KEY POINTS

  • Aubameyang will miss multiple games for Arsenal due to Malaria
  • Aubameyang has struggled this season after performing magnificently last year for the Gunners
  • Arsenal head coach will need to tweak rotation to make up for Aubameyang's absence

Arsenal may have to play its next couple of games without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is recovering from a Malaria diagnosis.

The 31-year-old got the illness when he was playing for Gabon during last month’s international break.

Gunners manager Mike Arteta provided an update on the status of Aubameyang. The coach shared that the player is at home recovering and spent two days in the hospital to get the proper treatment.

There was no date given on when the Gabonese may be able to return although Arteta mentioned Aubameyang is raring to rejoin the club.

"We will see how he recovers. I think he will need a few days to recover from that, but he wants to be back as soon as possible. That’s what he said to me," Arteta said following the Gunners win over Sheffield United last weekend.

Aubameyang revealed how he contracted the illness. He posted a picture of himself lying on a hospital bed as he tries to recover from the sickness.

"Hey guys, thanks for all the messages and calls," the Arsenal captain wrote via Instagram. "Unfortunately, I contracted Malaria whilst being on national team duty in Gabon a few weeks ago."

Aubameyang went on to explain that is feeling better and thanked the doctors for taking care of him. He vowed that he "will be stronger than ever."

"I wasn’t really feeling myself the last couple of weeks but will be back stronger than ever soon! Will be watching my boys now. A huge game for us! Let‘s go and get it Arsenal," Aubameyang stated.

Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang demolished Leeds
Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang demolished Leeds POOL / Catherine Ivill

With Aubameyang out, Arteta will have to figure out how to play their next games without the Gabon captain.

Aubameyang will be unavailable in their game against Slavia and in the London derby clash versus Fulham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The prolific striker has now missed a total of seven games for Arsenal due to illness and injury. He has hardly been outstanding compared to last season.

The Gabon international only has 14 goals to his name through 33 outings across all competitions as of this writing.

RELATED STORIES