Arsenal handed fresh injury worry ahead of Liverpool trip

For the final World Cup qualifier against Egypt on Tuesday, Gabon have to make do without Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unavailable for Gabon’s clash against Egypt on Tuesday afternoon.

The Gabonese Football Association confirmed the Arsenal striker’s absence shortly before kick-off in Cairo. The FA has offered no official reason yet to explain why he isn’t in the squad.

Patrice Neveu’s side are also without Red Star Belgrade midfielder Guélor Kanga for unknown reasons.

EGYPTE-GABON, UN TURN OVER EN ROUTE POUR LA CAN.
Les absences de KANGA et AUBAMEYANG les deux titulaires de Franceville contre la Libye absents cet après-midi face aux pharaons, ne devraient pas trop inquiéter Patrice NEVEU dans son chantier du banc de touche qui manque confiance pic.twitter.com/SEk1vVJhd5

— Fédération Gabonaise de Football – FEGAFOOT (@fegafoot_gabon) November 16, 2021

Why is Auba missing?

As previously mentioned, the Gabonese FA has not explained Aubameyang’s absence. His withdrawal, however, comes after he left the pitch on a stretcher in Friday’s 1-0 win against Libya.

Soon after scoring a second-half penalty, the 32-year-old went down holding his right calf and head. Medics stretchered him off, although he later played down fears on Instagram Live by celebrating the victory with the team.

According to Gabonese newspaper L’Union, he traveled to Egypt with the Gabon squad but left for London on a charted flight.

It could also be that Aubameyang decided to not risk himself for a game of no real significance. Gabon are already out of the World Cup qualifiers as Egypt have won Group F. Therefore, regardless of today’s result, the Panthers won’t compete in next year’s tournament in Qatar.

Arsenal will no doubt want to assess their captain ahead of a trip to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.