Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be heading back to Arsenal for more checks on a heart issue that has prevented him from featuring at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon this January.
Aubameyang’s departure was confirmed by Gabon’s coach Patrice Neveu on Monday
The Gunners striker has been with the Gabonese squad in Cameroon but hasn’t been able to feature at the ongoing AFCON due to COVID-19 and further diagnosed heart problem after recovery from the virus.
Speaking in an interview with Goal, the Gabonese coach revealed Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina will be sent back to their respective clubs for further diagnosis.
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“Since yesterday, the decision was taken to send them home to their club,” Neveu said. “We can’t judge it here [in Cameroon], we can’t assess the pathology of COVID here.”
He added: “It’s important that Mario returns to Nice and Pierre returns to Arsenal,” he added. “It’s a decision that we’ve taken among ourselves.”
Aubameyang tested positive for the virus after landing in Cameroon but, after missing Gabon’s opening game, recorded a negative test and returned to team training on Thursday.
He was scheduled to play in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana, only for a fresh health check-up to rule him out.
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