Arsenal have confirmed club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unavailable for Tuesday night’s Premier League clash with Southampton due to ongoing family reasons.
Aubameyang had already missed the FA Cup tie against the same opposition over the weekend, with manager Mikel Arteta explaining that the club needs to respect the situation.
? “He needs to address that issue and see how it evolves. We’re here to support him and he needs to take the time that is needed because that’s a priority at the moment.”
❤️ We’re here for you, Auba pic.twitter.com/rNjTwOHTZ5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 23, 2021
“He needs to address that issue,” the Gunners boss had said straight after the cup defeat. “We’ll see how it evolves. We’re here and we have to support him – he needs to take the time that is needed because that is a priority at the moment.”
The 31-year-old will again sit out as Arsenal look to make amends for that loss against the Saints in their second trip to St Mary’s in a matter of days.
Aubameyang was already struggling in a difficult season. Having scored 54 times in his first 85 Premier League appearances, his rate has dropped to only five in 17 league games in 2020/21.
When discussing his form last month, he vowed to keep trying his best to remain positive.
“I try my best and until now it has not been the best performance from me, but I’m still positive, I think I can turn this around and that’s what I try to do with the team,” Auba told Arsenal.com.
“I always try to give my best, not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room for the guys. Sometimes it’s hard and maybe you’re not in the right mood but you have to find a way to change it and give positive vibes for the guys and I try to do that. I try my best.”
He scored a brace in his last Premier League appearance as Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-0, while he netted against the same opposition in the FA Cup nine days earlier. A rotated selection saw Gabriel Martinelli occupy the skipper’s usual role on the left in the Southampton tie.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
Let’