Aubameyang is returning to Arsenal for medical examinations after being diagnosed with heart lesions
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has dismissed “false rumours” that he left Gabon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad due to disciplinary issues rather than because of the health reasons announced officially.
The striker is set to return to Arsenal for medical examinations after he was diagnosed with heart lesions following a positive test for Covid-19.
While the Gunners are still waiting for confirmation from the Gabon Football Federation, they have previously spoken to the 32-year-old and are confident that his condition is not serious, with the forward since returning to training.
On Monday (January 17), seemingly unsubstantiated reports emerged claiming that there were two reasons why both Aubameyang and Mario Lemina, who plays for Nice, were set to return to their respective clubs – with journalist Mohamed Abd Elazeem, who works for Filgoal, claiming that one of the reasons related to a quarrel with hotel security in Cameroon due to ‘taking girls (back) and being drunk’.
Elazeem took to Twitter to report the news, with his tweets translating to: “I learned from the Gabonese Federation that there are two reasons for the decision to return both Aubameyang to Arsenal and Mario Lemina to Nice, the first reason related to the complications of the Corona virus and the desire of their clubs to reassure them, and the second reason relates to a quarrel with hotel security in Cameroon due to taking girls.”
علمت من الاتحاد الجابوني أن هناك سببين لقرار إعادة كلا من أوباميانج لأرسنال وماريو ليمينا لنيس الفرنسي، السبب الأول يتعلق بسبب حدوث مضاعفات لهما من فيروس كورونا ورغبة أنديتهم في الاطمئنان عليهما، والسبب الثاني يتعلق بمشاجرة مع أمن الفندق في الكاميرون بسبب اصطحاب فتيات @FilGoal pic.twitter.com/j6ix1tHpz0
— Mohamed Abd Elazeem – محمد عبد العظيم (@mohamedAbdel40) January 17, 2022
However, the former Borussia Dortmund frontman has since responded to the ‘false rumours’, denying the claims and insisting that his return to Arsenal is due to health reasons.
He tweeted: “We have some problems that are hard to resolve by themselves, then rumours get thrown into the mix.
“We have to look after our health first and foremost. I’m not going to talk about the false rumours and I truly hope our team goes as far as possible.”
Nous avons des problèmes déjà compliqué à régler puis à cela s’ajoute des rumeurs bref on a une santé à soigner avant tout je ne reviendrais pas sur ces fausses rumeurs et je souhaite de tout cœur que notre équipe aillent le plus loin possible 🇬🇦❤️
— AUBA⚡️ (@Auba) January 17, 2022
Aubameyang tested positive for Covid-19 shortly before flying out to link up with his national team and had returned to training feeling healthy with no problems.
However, he wasn’t named in either of Gabon’s squads for their group games against Comoros and Ghana, with Gabon confirming that he wouldn’t feature in any of the remaining fixtures after releasing a statement explaining he was suffering from “cardiac lesions” and that they didn’t want to risk his health.
The striker hasn’t featured for his club since being forced out of the picture by boss Mikel Arteta after a disciplinary breach, after which he was also stripped of his captaincy.
Nice midfielder Lemina also responded to the reports by posting a statement on Instagram, in which he appeared to announce his retirement from international football, which read: “I’m not even going to feed the lies that are trying to cause harm. I couldn’t care less.
“I feel pain for my national team which is surrounded by liars who are looking for a buzz.
“Good luck for the rest of the competition and future call-ups.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Gabon’s final AFCON group game is against Morocco on Tuesday, with Patrice Neveu’s side – who sit second in Group C – needing a point against the table-toppers to qualify for the last 16.
Related links:
- Aubameyang leaves AFCON early to return to Arsenal
- Newcastle ‘contact’ Arsenal over signing Aubameyang on loan-to-buy deal
- Mikel Arteta claims he is not ‘dictatorial’ amid Aubameyang stand-off
