Arsenal's Aubameyang says absence due to mother's illness

The Arsenal captain says he missed the team’s last two matches due to his mother’s illness but will return ahead of its contest against Man United.

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates a goal with Bukayo Saka in an EPL contest on January 18. - AP

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said he missed the team’s last two matches due to his mother’s illness but will return ahead of its Premier League game against Manchester United on Saturday.

The Gabon international missed Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Southampton last weekend and was also absent from its 3-1 league win over the same opponent on Tuesday. Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette dedicated goals they scored in the league win over Southampton to Aubameyang.

“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,” Aubameyang tweeted on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/1XVfe9J8Dp

— AUBA (@Aubameyang7) January 27, 2021

 

“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.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had said he was unsure when Aubameyang would return. The club is ninth with 30 points from 20 games.