Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ruled out of AFCON game with ‘heart damage’ after recovering from COVID as Arsenal man reacts on social media

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sent off for Gabon against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations due to ‘heart damage’.

The Arsenal striker missed his country’s opener of the tournament – a 1-0 win over Comoros – after testing positive for COVID last week with an outbreak in the squad.

Now, after returning to training, medical staff have discovered that he and two of his teammates had minor heart issues after their recovery.

As a result, they weren’t allowed to play against Ghana, although it was seen as just a precautionary measure.

A statement from the Gabonese FA read: “Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Axel Meyé and Mario Lemina are barely out of COVID (isolation) and cannot participate in this match.

“The exams showed heart damage. CAF did not want to take any risks.

Athletic report that Arsenal doctors have spoken to the Gabon medical team and “are satisfied there is no serious situation”.

Aubameyang has not played for the Gunners since a 2-1 loss to Everton in December after a disciplinary foul.

Manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of the captaincy and the 32-year-old has been linked with a move away from North London as a result.

Arteta recently revealed why he let Aubayemang go to AFCON early and what the player’s situation would be at the club upon his return.

“We got a letter from the national team asking for permission to get the player and the player was not going to be involved today, so for his fitness and to keep competing, that was the right one. something to do,” he told the club official. website.

Arteta added: “At the moment he is gone [to Afcon].

“He has to focus on the national team, and we had the conversation which was the best possible way to do that.

“I’ve said it before, we’ll discuss [his situation] game by game.