PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is already ‘ready to come back’ despite spending ‘a few days in hospital this week’ with malaria.
The striker confirmed his illness on social media and revealed he contracted malaria while away with his national team last month.
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Aubameyang, 31, missed trips to Sheffield United and Slavia Prague but is now preparing to return to Arsenal’s squad.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “As we all know, he had malaria – he picked it up when he travelled in the international break and he didn’t have any symptoms and then got some symptoms a few days later.
“We didn’t know what it was but the doctor did a great job by making some further investigation and we found out he had picked it up.
“He had some rough days, he was in hospital for two days but now he is at home, he is safe and he is in good condition and ready to come back.”
Arteta could not give a timeframe on when his skipper will be back in contention to play but confirmed Aubameyang is wants a swift return.
He said: Let’s see how he recovers.
“Obviously when you get a disease like this it can take a bit for the body to feel in good condition to the extreme condition we put the body through in our sport.
“But he wants to come back very quickly, he is looking forward to being back with the team so let’s wait.”
Arsenal booked their place in the Europa League semi-final with a 4-0 away thrashing in Prague.
But it leaves the Gunners facing a heavy schedule of fixtures as they close out the season.
Arteta said: It has an effect because it is a real challenge playing Thursdays and Sundays it’s a real challenge in terms of recovery, preparation and rotation.
“It’s been like that throughout the season and with all the other restrictions, injuries, Covid regulations, we have had even more.
“But now it is about winning football matches, at the end of the season you know you want to get a good run if you want to progress in the Premier League.
“The priority now is Sunday, forget about the semi-finals, we now have two big games to play at home and we have to do our best to win them because if we do, the season will start to look a little bit different.”
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