Aubameyang’s malaria ordeal had him bed-ridden and battling depression
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has lifted the lid on the malaria ordeal which left him bedridden and battling depression.
Aubameyang is set to start for Arsenal tonight in their big Europa League semi-final second leg against former Gunners boss Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
But he admits he is not yet 100 per cent after losing four kilos in weight last month when he contracted the disease on international duty with Gabon.
Aubameyang said: “I was feeling very, very bad. I think it was the worst moment of being sick in my life.
“I had three days in a row, fever, all day and all night, non-stop. Even the paracetamol and stuff had no effects on this.
"After that, I spoke to the doctor. I said I needed to go to the hospital. I stayed in hospital for three days.
“I was really, really down and I think I lost four kilos. It was a really bad moment. My family was a bit scared to see me like this.”
Aubameyang eventually beat the disease and is now determined to fire Arsenal into the Europa League final.
But it was just the latest headache in a season from Hell for the 31-year-old, who has scored just ten Premier League goals and faced a storm of criticism.
Aubameyang missed games in January after being granted compassionate leave to care for his sick mother.
And he was axed for the North London derby win over Tottenham in March for disciplinary reasons.
Aubameyang said: “When I had this issue with my mum, the club were really kind to me. They let me go to see her. It was a really nice thing.”
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In April he was already feeling the effects of malaria when he played in Arsenal's 3-0 loss to Liverpool – and was branded "lazy" by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Aubameyang, who signed new bumper contract worth £55m last September, said: “When you see that it hurts because I'm a human being.
“But this is part of football and you have to accept criticism. I am the captain, so everybody looks to me.”
Mikel Arteta now needs a big performance from his skipper with Arsenal trailing 2-1 in the tie.
But Aubameyang’s former boss Emery fears that is just what he will produce.
Emery said: “Aubameyang is a killer. He was, he is, and he always will be. He was out through illness but he is back.
“He is there to give everything and perform at a top level. When that happens he is very difficult to stop. We expect to find the best Aubameyang.”
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