Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was desperate to play against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea yesterday.
Aubameyang did not start for Arsenal in the Premier League game against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.
The 32-year-old had only just recovered from coronavirus that saw him miss the match against Brentford.
The Gabon international striker came on as a substitute in the 61st minute.
Arsenal boss Arteta believes that Aubameyang did well after coming on and has outlined just how keen he was to play in the London derby, which Chelsea won.
Arteta told Football.London about Aubameyang: “Auba made a real effort to be able to be on the bench today. He only trained one day.
“He really struggled with the illness and he was in bed for a long, long time.
“He wanted to be in the squad he wanted to try and help the team and I thought that he did that when he came on.”
Encouraging sign
It is not easy for any player to feature in a competitive game without proper training.
Aubameyang must be praised for his commitment to Arsenal and to the Gunners’ cause.
The striker had a tough time last season and had one of the worst campaigns of his career.
The former Borussia Dortmund star scored 10 goals and gave three assists in 26 Premier League starts for Arsenal last season.
The striker scored three goals and gave one assist in five Europa League starts last season.
Arteta’s comments suggest that Aubameyang is determined to recover his old form.
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