PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is all smiles again after sorting out his differences with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Now the Gunners’ 13-goal top scorer is ready to lead his team in Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Olympiacos. Aubameyang, 31, had a face like thunder when he was left out of the team for Sunday’s North London […]
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is all smiles again after sorting out his differences with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Now the Gunners’ 13-goal top scorer is ready to lead his team in Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Olympiacos.
Aubameyang, 31, had a face like thunder when he was left out of the team for Sunday’s North London derby after turning up late.
But the superstar striker has buried the hatchet with his disciplinarian manager following heart to heart talks this week.
Arteta confirmed: “We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way and now we move forward.
“He has trained really well for the last two days and he was smiling as usual, which is what we always expect from Auba. So it’s all good.”
With Arsenal defending a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Athens, Aubameyang’s presence against the Greek champions could be vital.
Arsenal team-mate Mohamed Elneny insisted: “We are all so happy to have Auba with us because we all know he is one of the best players we have.
“He’s our captain and he is always there for us, supporting us on and off the pitch. He’s an amazing person and one the kindest players to speak to about anything.
“He’s always happy, always laughing and he brings so much positive energy to the team.”
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But while Aubameyang is back in line for an Arsenal return, he will be forced to sit out Gabon’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Angola a week on Monday.
Thomas Partey will also be prevented from playing for Ghana in South Africa next week due Covid restrictions.
And Arteta is far from happy with the forthcoming international fixture list which could involve three games in the space of six days for his weary players.
He explained: “We are the ones who have to pay the players and look after them, so it’s the international teams who have to adapt to what we want.
“We have some players with significant workloads and our priority is to win these next two games against Olympiacos and West Ham and then we will see what happens with international duty.
“Three international games in six days is too much and this year I think it becomes something really dangerous with the amount of minutes these boys have played in such a short time with no preparations.
“I don’t think it’s right but the decisions have been made and the games are going to be played, so it’s just about how we protect our players in the best possible way.
“We will tell the federations about the state of our players and try to maintain an open discussion to manage the load in the best possible way.
“Those who are going to be in red zone countries won’t be able to play those fixtures, but the rest we have to allow them to go if they are fit.
“Some might be able to play in one game and not the next so there is still a lot to figure out.
“We will stick to all the protocols we have to allow our players to travel when they are safe and our doctor is in constant communication with the Premier League and the federations.
“But it’s not too simple.”
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