‘It’s over’: International boss says £250k-a-week Arsenal star won’t play for his country again

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Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not feature for his country again, according to Gabon’s head coach.

The Gunners striker is also his nation’s talisman and was called up to the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Gambia.

However, Aubameyang and the rest of the Gabon contingent were held up for six hours after arriving at Banjul International Airport on Monday morning.

The Arsenal ace posted several pictures on social media showing how he and the rest of Gabon squad were forced to sleep on the floor.

The incident sparked an investigation by African football’s governing body, while Arsenal were reportedly furious with how Aubameyang was treated.

Gabon boss Patrice Neveu has now claimed that the Gunners won’t let their player join up with the national team again, and even expects other clubs to follow suit.

“Arsenal called Pierre-Emerick,” he’s quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

“After seeing him in those conditions, it’s over… They won’t let him come again, and it will be the same for players from other clubs.

“It’s understandable. They are high level players and when they come on international duty, they need to have a minimum of comfort.

“All the players tried to sleep on the airport floor. Imagine if Aubameyang, a player who costs more than €1million per month, gets injured.

‘[Arsenal] can be annoyed after what’s happened, to make a player sleep the floor.”

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While you’d like to think that measures will be put in place by CAF to ensure such a scenario doesn’t arise again, you can totally understand why Arsenal are – reportedly – taking this stance.

Already this international break has been tense for clubs, who have not only had to contend with the usual issues of fatigue and possible injury but also everything relating to current events.

And with this extra issue which has affected Aubameyang and the rest of the Gabon squad, it’s unacceptable to say the least, and Arsenal would be right to take steps to protect their £250,000-a-week asset.