PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG could be absent from playing for Arsenal until mid-February as Mikel Arteta freezes him out of his side.
Aubameyang has already missed two matches as punishment for returning late back to the UK last week from a trip to France to see his mother.
Arteta has revealed he will not consider the former captain for Saturday’s clash with Leeds, and his exile is set to continue for the Boxing Day clash with Norwich.
After that the striker, 31, is due to report for international duty with Gabon ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations which starts on January 6.
That means if Gabon progress deep into the competition in Cameroon, he may not be back in contention for a place until the Gunners face Wolves on February 10.
Aubameyang is understood to be training on his own for the time being, and on Friday reported for training an hour-and-a-half before the rest of the squad showed up.
Arteta refused to explain what punishment Aubameyang has suffered except to reveal the £250,000-a-week forward was not involved for the Leeds game.
Arteta said: “No, he is not available for this game.”
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Asked if he had a future at the club, Arteta added: “He is not available for this game.”
Aubameyang’s latest rule-break follows on from two disciplinary incidents from the start of the year.
His most recent offence – the late return from an authorised trip to France – follows on from a slap on the wrist in March due to a late arrival for the Gunners’ North London Derby against Tottenham.
He was also disciplined in February after a possible Covid-19 regulations breach.
Aubameyang’s future at the club is now up in the air, with Barcelona linked with a January move for the forward.
Barca are ‘desperate’ for a striker in January, after Sergio Aguero was forced to retire due to a heart issue.
And according to the Independent, Xavi’s side could swoop for Aubameyang to offer him an Arsenal escape route.
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