Aubameyang appears set to return against Everton next week

Arsenal are set to welcome Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to action ahead of their clash with Everton next week following his recent case of malaria.

The Gabon international picked up the disease while away on international duty last month and was subsequently left out of Arsenal’s previous two games while he recovered in hospital.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta confirmed after Arsenal’s win over Slavia Prague on Thursday that Aubameyang was out of hospital, with the Spaniard hoping to have him fit to face Fulham this weekend.

However ESPN understand that a more realistic return date would see Aubameyang feature against Everton, while Arsenal are ‘confident’ he will be ready to face the Toffees.

Everton are now winless in five Premier League games with the European qualifying places slipping away from them, so Aubameyang’s return puts another hurdle in their way.

Carlo Ancelotti however will hope his side can come out on top when the Blues make their way to the Emirates next Friday.

Another tough test

With or without Aubameyang playing for Arsenal, the Gunners are likely to pose a threat to Everton next week.

The Toffees have constantly let themselves down after the past few weeks, playing terribly against Burnley and Brighton, and playing well yet wasting chances against Crystal Palace and Tottenham.

Now with Arsenal fast approaching their hopes of qualifying for continental competition appear all but gone, though a win against the London outfit would spark a small amount of hope that they beat their rivals by the season’s end.

Arsenal will be stronger with Aubameyang, who his Arsenal teammate Eddie Nketiah previously called ‘outstanding‘, but Everton are set to welcome back talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin too, so both sides will receive a notable personnel boost.

James Rodriguez completely ran the show against a weak Tottenham on Friday and should the Colombian turn in a similar performance in North London, Everton could find themselves in a strong position to succeed.

In other Everton news, Blues defender wanted by high-flying club but Brands sets £17m+ demand.

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