Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is returning to Arsenal for further checks on the heart issue he has picked up following his Covid infection.

Early on Monday, The Athletic reported that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was undergoing further testing in Cameroon, and there was currently no plan for him to return to the UK following reports he was suffering from post-Covid-19 heart lesions.

But Arsenal were also said to be considering the possibility of bringing him back while medical reviews continue.

Despite the Arsenal club doctor initially believing there was no major cause for concern, Aubameyang will now return to Arsenal.

“Since yesterday, the decision was taken to send them home to their club,” Gabon’s manager, Patrice Neveu told GOAL, referring to Aubameyang and team-mate Mario Lemina.

“We can’t judge it here [in Cameroon], we can’t assess the pathology of Covid here.

“It’s important that Mario returns to Nice and Pierre returns to Arsenal,” he added.

“It’s a decision that we’ve taken among ourselves.”

The Gabon Federation, meanwhile, issued a brief statement saying, “The Gabonese Football Federation has decided to put the players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina back at the disposition of their clubs in order for them to follow more in-depth exams.”

Today (Monday 17th) is reportedly set to be a key day in deciding the next steps, ahead of Gabon’s final group game on Tuesday.

Gabon have made a strong start to their AFCON campaign, winning one game and drawing the other.

Though they face group leaders Morocco in their final game, even a defeat and four points is likely to see them through to the knockout stages.

It seems unlikely, at this point, that Aubameyang will return to the tournament, but you never know.