Exiled Arsenal Captain Aubameyang after contracting Covid-19 on the eve of AFCON 2021 while partying in Dubai, is yet to feature in any minute of football for Gabon has just been diagnosed of Heart issues.
While recovering from Covid-19, the ex Arsenal skipper has been pulled out of Gabon’s second Africa Cup of Nations match due to “cardiac lesions.”
After contracting Covid just before the tournament began while partying in Dubai, the former Arsenal captain has yet to play a minute for his country at the Cameroon event.
The 32-year-old was spotted in a bar with international teammate Mario Lemina, who used to play for Bournemouth but currently plays in Ligue 1 for OGC Nice.
Both Auba and Lemina were subjected to pre-match health examinations before Friday night’s group stage play against Ghana, according to a tweet from Gabon’s football federation.
The duo were only recently released from isolation after getting the virus, and are said to be still recovering from the disease’s effects.
According to the aforementioned tweet, checks on both players revealed that neither was in any way fit to play in the match.
The examinations are thought to have revealed heart problems in both players, implying that Gabon’s coaching staff did not want to put either player’s health at danger.
Regardless of any potential animosity between the Gabon International and manager Mikel Arteta, this is an unhappy update for Arsenal, who will definitely be concerned about their former captain’s health.
Following his latest disciplinary transgression, Aubameyang has been noticeably quiet on social media and has been pushed out of Arsenal’s first team picture.
However, just before kick-off against Ghana, the 32-year-old sent a cryptic message to his fans by posting a sad face emoji on his Instagram story with the phrase “Come on fellas.”
Given the recent nature of his testing, it’s unknown how long Aubameyang will be sidelined, but he could be a doubt for Gabon’s next match against Morocco on Tuesday.
When the tournament is over, Arsenal will surely want to conduct their own tests on the attacker when he returns to the club’s London Colney training camp.
The game at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Friday night was supposed to feature two Arsenal players on opposing teams, with Aubameyang facing off against Gunners teammate Thomas Partey.
Gabon defeated Comoros in their first game of the tournament earlier this week, thanks to a goal from Aaron Boupendza in the 16th minute.
In recent weeks, Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from Arsenal, with Juventus and Barcelona both showing interest in the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
After the game, his national team coach, Patrice Neveu, is anticipated to deliver an update on Aubameyang and Lemina’s health.