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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Arsenal debut could be delayed by 'sickness and fever', Arsene Wenger reveals
Arsene Wenger’s record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could miss the chance to make his Arsenal debut against Everton on Saturday with the striker suffering from illness following his £56 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Wenger said on Friday that Aubameyang was suffering from “sickness and fever” and had been unable to play a full role in training. Earlier in the week, the 29-year-old had cited illness in missing his appearance to testify in court in Germany in the trial over the Dortmund bus attack last year.
“I have to see how well and how fit he [Aubameyang] can be,” Wenger said.
“I believe the Premier League is a challenge for every big player – it is where everyone wants to play. I loved him for a long time. He has played us many times and the likes the way we play football. He liked a new challenge and we were the one who could offer him that.”
On Aubameyang rekindling his Dortmund partnership with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Wenger said, “I hope so. They have played together and know each other well. We are an offensive [minded] team. I hope we can recreate that perfect understanding that they had at Dortmund.”
The Arsenal manager offered no assurances to Alexandre Lacazette, supplanted as record signing and first-choice striker by the arrival of Aubameyang.
“I don’t reassure people,” he said. “I think we are in a competitive world. We have all chosen a job that is about competition and you have to fight for your place. You have to show them respect, and that you rate the players but as well they have to accept that we live in a competitive world.”
Wenger said that Aubameyang would be assessed on Friday as to his fitness to face Everton. Danny Welbeck is not fit to play in the game. Wenger confirmed that Alex Song is back working on his fitness at the training ground as he seeks to find a new club. The Arsenal manager said he had no plans to offer the 30-year-old a short-term contract.