Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has been discussing the current situation of Gunners attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his recent absence from the north London club.
This comes after Watts uploaded a video onto his YouTube channel where he discussed a variety of topics concerning Mikel Arteta’s side.
After Aubameyang recently revealed that he has been out of the country after having to look after his unwell mother, Watts had this to say on the situation and whether or not he would be able to play in Arsenal’s next league game against Manchester United at the weekend.
He said: “I’m pretty sure Pierre has been away. That seems to be the sort of way we’re being steered by Arsenal, but in terms of what’s going to happen, we’re not sure. He’s going to have to provide a negative test when he comes back. There is the whole thing that he’s coming into an elite sports bubble so he can be closely monitored, he can be tested very regularly.
“So that’s something that Arsenal will look to try and do to get him back into the squad as soon as possible.
“Personally, I think it’s probably unlikely that we’re going see him at the weekend against Manchester United, I think it’s going to be a very delicate situation, Arsenal are going to have to go through various protocols to get this thing done. I just think it’s probably unlikely that we’re going to see him for Manchester United, potentially it might be the next week because they’re going to have to follow very strict protocols, like I say, to get this one done.”
Do you think Arsenal will beat Man United even if they don't have Aubameyang playing?
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Arsenal signed the striker back in the 2018 January transfer window from German club Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £57.38 million.
Since then, the 31-year-old, who is currently valued at £36 million, has made 129 appearances for the north London club across all competitions in which he has managed to score 78 goals and provide 16 assists along the way (per Transfermarkt).
TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments on Aubameyang and his return to Arsenal…
While it’s great to hear that Aubameyang’s mother is recovering and that he will be returning to the club soon, we agree with Watts that the process of getting the forward back into action on the pitch with his teammates will be a tricky one in terms of going through all the right protocols of making sure it is safe to do so.
With there being numerous viral outbreaks within clubs in the top flight throughout this season, it’s vital that the club make sure everything is okay with Aubameyang and everyone else around the club before he gets back playing again.
What’s more, Arsenal have won their two previous league fixtures without Aubameyang, so perhaps he won’t be as big a loss for them if he is unavailable at the weekend.