Why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be forced into early international retirement

Arsenal’s star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be forced into international retirement having previously threatened to quit the Gabon national team. Gabon failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations and are now third in the group after 1-1 draw with Burundi. And now Gabon’s Minister for Sport Alan Bilie has made a decision to rebuild the team from the bottom up. The Arsenal striker’s international future was thrown into doubt after he refused to travel for an African Cup of Nations qualifier in October. After Aubameyang's father, Pierre-Aubame, was named as joint-coach, alongside ex-Rangers striker Daniel Cousin, Aubameyang took to Instagram. He wrote: "You were wondering why I have problems with you, why I don't want to come and play for the national team. "You have told the whole world about my father, the so-called coach of the national team, when you did not even get his agreement! "The president of the federation called my dad but did not even care to ask about his state of health. He's sick at the moment. "To rush out and hold a press conference (on Wednesday) when my father said he would give his answer only the next day is another demonstration of why." He added: "His decision, by the way, is negative. You didn't even give him a chance to negotiate about his staff members or other things."

Arsenal have trained ahead of tomorrow’s game against Newcastle (PHOTO)