Arsenal investigate Aubameyang for possible Covid breach

The football season is long, and the coronavirus pandemic is even longer. More and more players are breaching Covid-19 rules, especially in the UK, which has been under lockdown since February 5th. The newest player to be under investigation is Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabonese international was the main character in an Instagram story published by Spanish tattoo artist Alejandro Nicolas Bernal on February 9. In the story, both men are without masks, facing each other, laughing while Auba is getting a tattoo done. It is not yet known where was video taken, or when, but it looks like the Arsenal player may have broken COVID-19 protocols.

An Arsenal spokesperson told the PA news agency: “We will speak to the player to remind him of his responsibilities and establish what has taken place”.

If this happens to be true, Aubameyang will be punished for breaking the Covid-19 rules, and he won’t be the only Arsenal player to do so. Four Gunners were caught last season breaking coronavirus rules. Nicolas Pepe was seen playing football with friends, David Luiz and Granit Xhaka were pictured together in a park while Alexandre Lacazette was photographed standing next to a car valeter at his home.

Arsenal striker has not been in great form since the start of the season and had recently traveled to France to care for his mother, Margarita, who fell seriously ill. He missed three matches due to quarantine rules on his return to England and scored a hat-trick in his first full game, on Sunday against Leeds.

"It's been a tough time for me, but now it's time to get the smile back and win games and score goals, that's it. From everybody around the club, everyone was giving a lot of love to me, my mum and my family, so I'm really, really happy and I'm really proud to be part of this family. I have to say thank you to everyone at the club and the fans as well because I received a lot of messages. I'm really happy today, the win and goals - this is for them" said Aubameyang after the game.

There were other Premier League players breaching Covid rules for unnecessary actions. For example, Newcastle United striker Joelinton had been branded "an idiot" for posting pictures of him getting a haircut on to social media - by the man who styled his hair. Stylist Tom Baxter admitted he should not have cut Joelinton's hair at his Newcastle salon but Magpies Steve Bruce has indicated his player's mistake was "genuine" and the club punished the player.