Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence from the Arsenal squad raised a few eyebrows.
Mikel Arteta said that his striker wanted to be involved but was ill. The Arsenal captain, 30, used his programme notes to say that he was committed to the club after being linked with a move to Spain.
“I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs,” he wrote. Aubameyang told a Monaco radio station last week: “For now, I’m here. I’m 100 per cent here.”
However, it is understood that Arsenal have been told Aubameyang would like to leave this summer after he shelved contract talks. He has 18 months on his present deal.