Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been released early from the club, to join Gabon for the Africa Cup of Nations, as he will not feature in Saturday's Premier League game at home to Manchester City, said manager Mikel Arteta.

32-1-year-old Aubameyang fell out of favor with Arteta at Arsenal and was stripped of his captaincy this month after a 'disciplinary breach'. The last time he played was a league loss 2:1 at Everton ground 6. December of December, while missing five games in all competitions.

Aubameyang signed a new three-year contract with Arsenal last year, but he has struggled this season, scoring just four Premier League goals - the last of which came in October.

Players, who are going to next month's Africa Cup of Nations final, they can play for their clubs until 3. January, but Arteta said, that Gabon asked, could Aubameyang join earlier.

“We received a checklist from the national team (Gabon) asking for permission to acquire the player and the player was not going to be involved… so for his fitness and continuing to compete it was the right thing to do,” Arteta told reporters. Friday.

"He left at the moment (for AFCON). He has to focus on the national team. We had a conversation, that it is the best possible way, how to do it. We will deal with it game-game.''

Arteta himself said, that he is recovering well after testing positive for Covid-19 this week. He added, that assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg will take charge of Saturday's game, although the Spaniard will be in contact with the coaching staff.

“Albert will be in charge of the rest of the team and depending on that, which of the coaches will be available, everyone there will try to help, as possible,” said Arteta.

“We will also be in touch… I'll be here, to support them and help them in certain moments, but they themselves have to get the dynamics of the game and the communication.”

Arsenal is by 19 matches fourth s 35 bodmi, 15 points behind leaders Town, who played one match more.