Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not play for Gabon in their African Cup of Nations qualifier with Mali on Saturday.
It’s understood that the player excused himself from the upcoming game via a doctor’s note sent to the country’s football federation.
The nature of his malady remains unclear, but we’re hoping it’s something he can get over from the comfort of his London abode before the Gunners return to action against Bournemouth in 11 days time.
Aubameyang’s absence was first reported on Twitter by a journalist for RFI Radio Foot who was somewhat vague on the reasoning. It earned him a stinging rebuke from the Arsenal man, who was eager to point out it was for medical reasons.
“It’s weird that the football federation immediately publishes that a player cannot come [for national duty] for other reasons after they received an email from my doctor but still has not posted on it for more than 24 hours,” Aubameyang wrote on social media.
“You say that Aubameyang declined as if I had refused to come for another reason.”
C’est bizarre quand même, peut importe la fédération de football, elle publie de suite qu’un joueur ne peut pas venir pour tel raison alors que là, la Notre a bien reçu un mail de mon docteur mais n’a toujours pas communiqué dessus depuis plus de 24h.
— Aubameyang P-E (@Aubameyang7) November 13, 2018
It’s not the first time Auba has sat out an Interlull and, with apologies to the footy fans of Gabon, we’re hoping it won’t be the last. With Danny Welbeck likely to be out for some time, we’re quite short on attackers and would rather he keep himself fresh for those who are paying his wages.
Gabon are currently second in Group C, one point behind Mali. The tournament proper will be played in Cameroon next summer; the first time it’ll be played in line with Europe’s football calendar.
Good news. Keep him fit and reserve his energy for us.
Must be contagious if Lacazette has come down with it too. Must be eating at the same restaurant as Pep Guardiolas players do before Interlulls. The stairs seem to cause all sorts of unexpected last minute niggles.
Hahahhaaa this is classic!
Its a good thing that ACN is now adjusted to European leagues.
Probably also a reason why Wenger started to buy African players again. Previously, ACN was extremely disruptive. It was no benefit to overall stock of African players.
Aubameyang wasn’t really a Wenger signing though.
Elneny was though, and Iwobi wasn’t discouraged to pick England over Nigeria – suspect he might have been otherwise.
Iwobi wasn’t discouraged from picking Nigeria because African competition games wouldn’t conflict with EPL games? This had to be the single most stupid comment I’ve read on any online forum this month!! So nothing to do with his lineage or heritage. It was the games schedule?!
I forgot about Iwobi! And there’s also a Copa America next summer, so that’s Torreira also returning late to pre-season.
It would certainly be a nuisance if Gabon qualified for the ACN and Aubameyang’s (and Elneny’s) season would finish one month later than everyone else in our squad. C’mon Mali ?
In previous articles we are emphasizing how Holding is dreaming of an England call-up and how and how Nelson should follow Jardon Sancho, and now all of a sudden we are happy that Auba is snubbing his country in what could be a decisive qualifying match? It’s strange to say that, but I hope that this doctor’s note is real, otherwise it is a complete disgrace.
Yes I’m happy because I’m an Arsenal fan and I don’t want Arsenal players getting injured playing for their country. We got Spurs and Man United next month.