Arsenal and Gabon striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has opened up on his battle with malaria, admitting the disease gave him the worst feeling he has ever felt in his life.
Aubameyang, Arsenal’s captain was diagnosed on returning to England in April following a spell away with Gabon during the international break.
Aubameyang actually played in games against Liverpool and Slavia Prague before his sickness got so bad that he had to be admitted into hospital.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 5, ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal, Aubameyang described his experience with the illness.
“I was feeling a bit down,” he said. “I thought that it was the travel.
“As you know, going to Gabon is not so close to here. I felt just a bit tired, especially against Liverpool, but I thought it was just because of the travel.
“I don’t know what the percentage of my form was at that moment. But definitely, yeah, I felt a bit tired.”
“I was feeling very, very bad,” he said. “This was the worst moment of being sick in my life because it was really hard.
“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 and I said I needed to go to the hospital because I had travelled to Africa so maybe it was something like malaria.
“I stayed in hospital for three days and I think I lost four kilos. It was a really bad moment and I think my family was a bit scared to see me like this.
“After that, I had some good treatments and the staff did very well and the doctors as well in the hospital.
“I am lucky that we took it in the end at the right moment because sometimes with malaria, if you don’t treat it quickly, you can have some big problems.”
Speaking about his current health status, Aubameyang added:
“In my mind I feel more than 100%,” he said. “But physically maybe I’m not 100%. Hopefully my body will respond well.
“But I’m ready definitely. In my mind I’m ready.”
