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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed he has been hospitalised after contracting killer disease malaria.
Arsenal captain Aubameyang took to Instagram to confirm the reason for his recent absence from Mikel Arteta's side.
The striker contracted the condition while on international duty with Gabon.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang uploaded a selfie of him in hospital after contracting malaria
© Provided by Daily Mail But despite the fact he was beginning to feel the effects of the energy-sapping condition Aubameyang still managed to play 77 minutes against Liverpool and came off the bench in the first leg of Arsenal's Europa League tie against Slavia Prague last week, setting up Nicolas Pepe's goal.
But Aubameyang had to be left out of Arsenal's 3-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday and has spent the last three days in hospital, where tests revealed his symptoms were due to him suffering from malaria.
Aubameyang told his 10 million followers: 'Hey guys, thanks for all the messages and calls. Unfortunately I contracted Malaria whilst being on national team duty in Gabon a few weeks ago. I've spent a few days in hospital this week but I'm already feeling much better every day, thanks to the great doctors that detected and treated the virus so quickly.
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'I wasn't feeling myself the last couple of weeks but will be back stronger than ever soon!
'Will be watching my boys now, huge game for us! Let's go and get it Arsenal.'
Aubameyang begun feeling unwell and under the weather following his return from international duty.
Though it was only when his condition worsened to the point he had to be taken to hospital that he discovered the full seriousness of his illness.
© Provided by Daily MailAubameyang has found it tough to find form since returning from international duty
Aubameyang's natural fitness levels as an elite athlete are believed to have helped him fend off the full effects of the condition, which normally wipes out most sufferers, for as long as he did.
Malaria, transmitted by infected mosquitos, has resulted in the deaths of billions of people and is the biggest killer disease in human history.
Every year between 300 and 500 million people are infected with the disease across the world, resulting in around one million deaths.
More than 90 per cent of cases of Malaria and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
Symptoms of the condition include fever and an illness that feels to sufferers like flu as it can result in chills, head and muscle ache, tiredness and also seizures.
Those with malaria can also be hit by other symptoms including bouts of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
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