Nicolas Pepe hints Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will STAY at Arsenal amid transfer talk, heart scare and captaincy axe
NICOLAS PEPE has tentatively suggested Arsenal team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is staying put.
The Gabon international has been the subject of intense transfer speculation after falling out of favour at the Emirates.
He was stripped of the captaincy by boss Mikel Arteta after returning late from a trip abroad and has since been linked with a shock loan move to Saudi Arabia.
And Gunners midfielder Pepe lifted the lid on Auba’s future when asked by a plucky fan if he would stay or go.
Pepe replied: "I don't know. I think he'll stay, but I don't know."
The 26-year-old made the comments while away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast.
Aubameyang was forced to return home from the tournament after suffering minor heart problems related to Covid.
He was given the all-clear to return to training on Thursday and was pictured back in the gym in London.
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Whether or not he is still in the capital by the end of January remains to be seen.
Saudi side Al Hilal want the 32-year-old on loan - and are said to be willing to pay his £350k-a-week wages in full.
Barcelona have also been mooted as a possible destination for the striker, who has not featured in Arteta’s squad since early December.
His last outing came in a five-minute cameo appearance in the dying moments of the 2-1 defeat by Everton on 6th December.
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