Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s AFCON 2021 ends prematurely with striker set to return to Arsenal after suffering from heart lesions.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on his way back to Arsenal and will no longer play a role in the Africa Cup of Nations due to his ongoing health issues.
The striker has not featured for Gabon following a positive Covid-19 test in the build-up to the tournament. He missed clashes against Comoros and Ghana after it was revealed that he was suffering from heart lesions as a result of his Covid diagnosis.
Aubameyang will undergo further tests on his return to England despite the Gunners claiming the 32-year-old was “fine”.
Nice midfielder Mario Lemina has also been released from Gabon’s squad following a similar diagnosis of “heart lesions”.
Panthers coach Patrice Neveu said: “Since yesterday, the decision was taken to send them home to their club. We can’t judge it here [in Cameroon], we can’t assess the pathology of Covid here.
“It’s important that Mario returns to Nice and Pierre returns to Arsenal. It’s a decision that we’ve taken among ourselves.”
An official Gabon’s statement read: “The Gabonese Football Federation has decided to put the players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina at the disposal of their clubs to continue the in-depth examinations.”
Gabon also confirmed multiple Covid-19 cases, with Denis Bouanga, Noubi Fotso, David Sambissa, Serge Ngouali, and Ulrick Eneme Ella to miss Tuesday’s game against Morocco after testing positive.
Aubameyang has not played for Arsenal since last month, when he was dropped and stripped of his captaincy for disciplinary reasons.
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