Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not expected to feature in any Arsenal match until he settles some personal issues according to the club’s manager, Mikel Arteta.
The 31-year-old Gabonese striker was not named in the Arsenal’s squad that played against Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, January 23. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Southampton defeated the London club 1-0 via an own-goal Arsenal’s Gabriel scored in the 24th minute. The narrow win was enough to knock out Arsenal in the competition they won last season.
After Southampton ended Arsenal’s journey in the FA Cup on Saturday with the 1-0 win, Mikel Arteta was questioned about the availability of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his squad.
The Spanish tactician revealed that the club’s captain would not return to action at the club until he settles the personal issue the striker is battling with. Arteta stressed that the personal issue that Aubameyang has is more important than playing for Arsenal.
He also stressed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who reportedly earns £375-per-week at Arsenal needs the support of the club, noting that he does not know when the striker would return to action.
“He needs to address that issue, we’ll see how it evolves”, Mikel Arteta said ahead of the club’s Premier League game against Southampton scheduled for January 26, at 21:15.
“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.”
💬 "He needs to address that issue and see how it evolves. We're here to support him and he needs to take the time that is needed because that's a priority at the moment."
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 23, 2021
❤️ We're here for you, Auba pic.twitter.com/rNjTwOHTZ5
Before now, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who just signed a bumper contract with Arsenal last summer after helping the club to win the 2019-2020 FA Cup, has been under intense pressure to start scoring more for Arsenal.
After a long wait without scoring goals, Aubameyang got back his goalscoring boot on January 18, when he scored two goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United. He was expected to feature in Arsenal’s FA Cup match against Southampton on Saturday but was left out of the matchday squad to the surprise of the club’s fans.
Win ⚽️⚽️
— AUBA⚡️ (@Aubameyang7) January 19, 2021
#300 pic.twitter.com/0JOgbt3YNR
As it stands, the club’s captain who has scored 8 goals and provided an assist in 20 games in all competitions this season might not be available for Arsenal’s league game against Southampton on Tuesday.
Aubameyang might also miss Arsenal’s league game against Manchester United on January 30 if the personal issue Mikel Arteta said he has is not settled before then.
