Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has missed the Gunners' clash with Everton at Goodison Park this evening through a muscle injury.
The Gabon international was a notable absentee from the starting line-up, with the former Borussia Dortmund man having failed to make the match-day squad.
The loss of Aubameyang will have come as a major blow to Arteta, as the striker had finally got himself back amongst the goals by securing the Gunners a point in Wednesday evening's 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Though he has been forced to miss this evening's showdown with Carlo Ancelotti's Toffees, Arteta has confirmed that the injury is only "small," but does not yet know whether he will be fit for Tuesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final tussle with Manchester City.
"He’s got a small muscle injury, so he will be out for a few days, I think," Arteta told Sky Sports. "I don’t know (if he’ll be fit for next week), we’ll have to assess him.
"He could not be fit for today.”
Aubameyang's absence from the squad has meant that Willian has been recalled to the starting line-up, joining Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah in the front-three, as they aim to try and make up for Aubameyang's absence.
With Aubameyang sidelined, Arteta has made the decision to hand centre-back Rob Holding the captain's armband.
Aubameyang has scored three of the Gunners' 11 Premier League goals so far this season, meaning his absence is a damaging blow for Arteta's troops, with goals having been a major problem for the club so far this term.
