PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has revealed he caught malaria while on Gabon duty.
The Arsenal skipper’s name was absent on the Gunners’ teamsheet for the crucial Europa League quarter-final win over Slavia Prague on Thursday.
And, less than an hour before kick-off in Arsenal’s 4-0 win, Aubameyang took to Instagram to explain why.
Aubameyang revealed he contracted malaria while away with his national team last month.
The Gunners forward even claimed he’d been feeling under the weather for a ‘couple of weeks’.
Aubameyang, 31, scored in Gabon’s 3-0 win over DR Congo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 25 March.
He had since put in underwhelming performances in the 3-0 Premier League loss to Liverpool and last week’s first-leg draw with Slavia.
He then missed Sunday’s win over Sheffield United.
The Arsenal skipper wrote: “Hey guys, thanks for all the messages and calls.
“Unfortunately I contracted Malaria whilst being on national team duty in Gabon a few weeks ago.
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“I’ve spent a few days in hospital this week but I’m already feeling much better every day.
“Thanks to the great doctors that detected and treated the virus so quickly.
“I wasn’t really feeling myself the last couple weeks but will be back stronger than ever soon!
“Will be watching my boys now, huge game for us! Let‘s go and get it.”
After the 4-0 win in the Czech Republic, boss Mikel Arteta revealed Auba is already itching to get back.
Arteta said: “He feels really good. That’s what he said to me today.
“Everybody’s been in contact with him. He was watching the game like everybody else at Colney.
“These things happen. He travelled to his country. These risks always exist.”
Speaking to BT Sport, Arteta added: “He’s at home. He’s completely fine.
“He had two days in hospital to get the right treatment but he’s feeling good now.
“When he wasn’t involved against Sheffield, the two days before he wasn’t feeling good but no one could have expected that (malaria) was the case.
“The doctor did some more tests and some more analytics.
“The doctor realised very quickly what had to be done. He did a great job. He’s safe and feeling good.”
Aubameyang’s last goal for his club came in the 1-1 draw with Burnley on March 6.
He has scored 14 times in 33 games in all competitions for the Gunners this term.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
