Video: Arteta speaks on Aubameyang’s Arsenal absence

The Gunners boss dedicated Tuesday’s victory over Southampton to his missing skipper, who has been absent for two games now.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains in Arsenal’s thoughts, says Mikel Arteta, who dedicated the club’s 3-1 win at Southampton to the missing skipper.

Aubameyang has missed each of Arsenal’s last two games against Southampton in the FA Cup and Premier League. Arteta and the club have only stated his absence is down to ‘personal family reasons’ so far.

While the exact cause remains unknown to the public, Aubameyang is clearly going through a difficult moment and his teammates Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette each sent messages of support after scoring on Tuesday.

Arteta on Aubameyang, who has now missed two games for unspecified personal reasons. #afc pic.twitter.com/YVnBUKZgvp

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) January 26, 2021

Asked if there was any update on the forward in his post-match conference, Arteta replied: “No.

The Arsenal boss then added: “I love how they support each other and how they protect each other. Auba is having a difficult time and we are all behind him.

“This win was for him.”

Aubameyang will probably remain a doubt for Arsenal’s showdown with Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday. That said, he also has another three players to worry about in the meantime.