Afcon 2021: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to Arsenal for further medical checks after leaving tournament

Aubameyang has not yet featured at this year's Africa Cup of Nations — Aubameyang missed Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations group games against Comoros and Ghana

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been released from Gabon's Africa Cup of Nations squad and will return to Arsenal because of the striker's ongoing health issues.

The 32-year-old missed Gabon's draw with Ghana on Friday after scans revealed "heart lesions" following a bout of Covid.

Aubameyang tested positive on arrival in Cameroon on 6 January.

He will undergo further medical checks upon his return to Arsenal.

Nice midfielder Mario Lemina has also been released from the Gabon squad after "heart lesions" were also found on the ex-Southampton player's scan.

Gabon's statement said: "The Gabonese Football Federation has decided to put the players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina at the disposal of their clubs to continue the in-depth examinations."

Aubameyang, who also tested positive for Covid in August, has not played for Arsenal since he was dropped and stripped of the club captaincy last month for disciplinary reasons.

Gabon also confirmed further Covid-19 cases on Monday, with Denis Bouanga, Noubi Fotso, David Sambissa, Serge Ngouali and Ulrick Eneme Ella to miss Tuesday's game against Morocco after testing positive.