Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gives positive update on mother’s health and plans Arsenal return after two-match absence
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Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has provided a positive update on the personal family issue which kept him out of the Gunners’ last two matches.
The 31-year-old has revealed he needed to be with his mother due to health concerns, but thankfully she is now better and he will return to north London tonight.
Getty Images - Getty 1 Aubameyang had a positive update for concerned fans
Aubameyang pulled out of Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round defeat to Southampton on Saturday morning and also missed the Gunners’ Premier League victory over the Saints on Tuesday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed the Gabon striker was going through a ‘difficult time’, while Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette dedicated their goals to Aubameyang at St Mary’s last night.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Gunners captain broke his silence on the absence, explaining it was a concern over his mother, whose health has now improved.
He wrote: “Hey guys, thank you so much for all the messages and calls over the last few days.
“My mother is going through some health issues and I had to be there for here.
“She’s already much better now and I will be back home tonight.
“I’m more than grateful to the doctors and nurses helping her get through this.
“And of course, thanks to my Arsenal fam for the love yesterday! I’m more determined than ever to keep our momentum going!
“Thank you all again – I really am beyond blessed to receive this level of support from you all and I can’t wait to be back.”
Aubameyang absent due to mum’s ill-health
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Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has sent his thanks for the support of his “Arsenal family” after explaining his absence from the last two matches was down to his mother suffering from “health issues”.
Aubameyang missed the 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Southampton on Saturday as well as the 3-1 Premier League victory over Saints three days later.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta dedicated Tuesday’s win to the Gabon striker, with Arsenal’s goalscorers all sending messages of support to Aubameyang with their celebrations.
Aubameyang had travelled with the squad for the game on Saturday before leaving just hours before kick-off for family reasons.
He revealed on Wednesday afternoon that he had been supporting his mother.
“Hey guys, thank you so much for all the messages and calls over the last few days,” Aubameyang wrote on Instagram.
“My mother is going through some health issues and I had to be there for her. She’s already much better now and I will be back home tonight.
“I’m more than grateful to the doctors and nurses helping her get through this.
“And of course, thanks to my Arsenal fam for the love yesterday! I’m more determined than ever to keep our momentum going!
“Thank you all again - I really am beyond blessed to receive this level of support and love from all of you and I can’t wait to be back - PEA.”
A decision has yet to be made whether the captain will return for Saturday’s Premier League visit of Manchester United.
Why is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not playing? Arsenal striker explains absence due to mother’s health issues
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Why is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not playing? Arsenal striker explains absence due to mother’s health issues Aubameyang was not included in Arsenal’s last two matchday squads with the club citing personal reasons
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has thanked the Arsenal players and fans for their support after he missed the last two games to be with his unwell mother.
Aubameyang was not included in the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Southampton, and the forward was a surprise absentee when Arsenal took on the same opponents in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.
However, the Gabon forward explained on Wednesday that his mother has been in poor health and he had travelled to be with her.
Saka was on target in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Southampton (Photo: Reuters)
“Thank you so much for all the messages and calls over the last few days,” Aubameyang said in a statement released on his social media channels.
“My mother is going through some health issues and I had to be there for her. She’s already much better now and I will be back home tonight. I’m more than grateful to the doctors and nurses helping her get through this.
“And of course, thanks to my Arsenal fam for the love yesterday! I’m more determined than ever to keep our momentum going!”
An Aubameyang-less Arsenal came from a goal down against the Saints to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to six games, with Nicolas Pépé, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette scoring in the 3-1 win.
Pépé took to social media after the match to dedicate his goal to Aubameyang, saying: “For my brother. @auba.”
Lacazette had signalled 14 with his hands as part of his goal celebration to represent the number of Aubameyang’s shirt, and his manager paid tribute to the togetherness of the squad afterwards
“I loved how they support each other and how they protect each other”, Mikel Arteta said.
Arsenal have enjoyed an upturn in form over the last month, taking 16 points from a possible 18 in the league to move within five points of the Champions League qualification places.
And Aubameyang’s return could see him available to face Manchester United at the Emirates in Arsenal’s next fixture on Saturday 30 January.