Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to return to Arsenal for further assessment after post-Covid heart issues

ByHarry Latham Coyle

Published 17/01/2022 at 13:47 GMT

Aubameyang was diagnosed with apparent "heart lesions" after contracting the coronavirus, and missed Gabon's first two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations. Both Aubameyang and Nice midfielder Mario Lemina, who also tested positive, will now return to their clubs, according to a statement from the Gabonese Football Federation.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to make an early return from the Africa Cup of Nations for further assessment on heart issues.

The Gabonese striker missed his side's first two games in Cameroon having been diagnosed with "cardiac lesions", believed to have been caused by Covid-19.

Aubameyang tested positive for the virus on arrival in Africa, and was one of three players to subsequently be diagnosed with the medical issue.

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And having been in regular contact with the Arsenal medical staff, the 32-year-old appears likely to miss the remainder of the tournament and return to England.

The Gabonese football federation confirmed in a statement that both captain Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina, formerly of Southampton and Fulham and now at Nice, had been permitted to return to their clubs.

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Manager Patrice Neveu explained that this was to allow the players to "be treated and taken care of", though Arsenal have been assured that the issue is minor.

Having been stripped of the captaincy at the Emirates Stadium and exiled from the first-team squad in December, Aubameyang had been expected to look for a move away from Arsenal.

Gabon face Morocco in their final Group C fixture in Yaounde tomorrow.

A controversial late goal against Ghana leaves them well placed to progress, with four points from two games.

Aubameyang and Lemina are not the only players to have been forced to miss recent games due to fears over heart problems.

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies has been ruled out for the next month due to myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, having similarly contracted Covid-19.

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