Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praises captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for his efficient return throughout Sunday’s victory in Newcastle.
Aubameyang has been out of motion all through April after contracting malaria whereas away on worldwide obligation with Gabon, however has recovered and returned to begin XI towards Newcastle on Sunday with a objective.
The 31-year-old made a 2-0 win | Pool / Getty Photographs
Talking after the match in regards to the ahead (quoted by the Unbiased), Arteta admitted that the captain’s restoration got here as a shock: “We thought he wouldn’t make it.”
When discussing a small substitute look towards Villarreal in the primary leg of the Europa League semi-final, he added: “On Thursday the day earlier than, he actually struggled, to be truthful he might solely handle to play 10 or quarter-hour.
“However the day after and the day after, he began to really feel higher and it is sweet to see that he was effectively immediately.”
Arteta described Aubameyang’s return to motion as a “actual enhance” within the information that the 31-year-old can now play a much bigger position in Arsenal’s semi-final second stage on Thursday, after proving his health towards Newcastle.
Aubameyang is the membership’s second greatest scorer to this point this season with 15 objectives in all competitions, simply behind Alexandre Lacazette’s 17. However though his return is a enhance for his or her second match towards Villarreal, efficiency was weakened when David Luiz limped off with a hoarding query.
Arteta admitted “this will not be excellent news” as a result of harm to the Brazilian would add to a rising remedy desk that already consists of Lacazette and Kieran Tierney. Luiz solely returned to motion himself not so way back after a minor knee operation and aroused a calmer stage within the again line, however now dangers lacking what stays of the season.
An away win and a clear sheet was a giant optimistic | Pool / Getty Photographs
The Gunners may have to roll over a 2-1 loss from the primary leg in the event that they wish to advance to the Europa League remaining when Villarreal go to the Emirates on Thursday.
