Will Aubameyang be able to play for Gabon in AFCON at all?

The Arsenal attacker has missed the Panthers’ opening two AFCON fixtures after testing positive for COVID-19.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations fate could be decided on Monday after further talks and tests.

Upon arrival in Cameroon for the tournament, Aubameyang returned a positive result for coronavirus. He has since missed both of Gabon’s opening two Group C games.

The 32-year-old, alongside Gabon teammates Mario Lemina and Axel Meye, reported back to training last week. Results from further tests, however, ruled the trio out of Friday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana.

The Gabonese Football Federation claimed the test results revealed ‘cardiac lesions’, although Gabon manager Patrice Neveu later said they showed traces of COVID-19 instead.

Gabon coach Patrice Neveu on Pierre Aubameyang and Mario Lemina not playing:

"They tested negative for Covid. Auba has no cardiac issues, Mario had some residue from the virus left. I had a decision to make and I decided to protecttheir health first"#AFCONwithGary pic.twitter.com/jqbdXhSiXB

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) January 14, 2022

Aubameyang could fly back to London this week

Now a new report from The Athletic suggests Aubameyang’s plight is far from over. The publication has claimed the Arsenal forward could return to the UK this week. No decision has been made yet, but that could change later on Monday.

Gabon plan to hold further discussions and tests. The team’s staff expect the outcome to provide more clarity on Aubameyang’s condition. They will also determine his availability for Tuesday’s Group C finale against table-toppers Morocco – a game that could decide whether the team’s last-16 fate.

Anyhow, Arsenal’s medical staff are not alarmed by the situation and remain in contact with Aubameyang and Gabon.