Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been banished from first team training at Arsenal, having to train alone, as the true depth of the problem becomes clear.

When Arsenal released a statement about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being stripped of the captaincy, the wording made it clear that Auba’s tardiness in returning from seeing his mother was not the only incident, no matter how many times the Daily Mail try to make it seem like it is.

Mikel Arteta, perhaps spotting an opportunity to push the club’s highest earner, who has been subpar, from the club, has seemingly banished Auba from all things first-team-related – including training.

A number of outlets report on Saturday that the striker’s exile will continue until the end of the year, at least.

That means he is in line to miss at least another three matches, on top of the Leeds game, and it seems highly improbably all will be forgiven by New Year’s Day when Arsenal are due to play Manchester City.

By then, Auba should be away with his country ahead of AFCON, of course, but that tournament is currently in doubt with European clubs putting pressure on the CAF.

About the tournament, Mikel Arteta told the media, “I would like them to guarantee the welfare of our players, and if that is not the case obviously we are not going to be comfortable.

“I think not only Arsenal, but any club that has to allow players to go on those duties.”