Aubameyang against Villareal and malaria vapor trails

While on international duty with Gabon, national team and Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang contracted malaria. He even managed to play twice before the his condition worsened and caused him to miss next five matches.

Aubameyang spoke about how he lost four kilograms of weight while battling malaria. Regardless, he said he is back up to 90 per cent physically - but mentally he feels more than 100 per cent.

Ahead of Arsenal's Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal, African forward described his time at the hospital as 'the worst moment of being sick' he has ever suffered.

'I was feeling very, very bad. This was the worst moment of being sick in my life. I had three days in a row, fever, all day and all night, non-stop.' Aubameyang said.

'Even the paracetamol and stuff had no effect. After that, I spoke to the doctor. I said I needed to go to the hospital because I was travelling to Africa so maybe it was something like malaria. I stayed in hospital for three days.

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'I was really, really down and I think I lost four kilos. It was a really bad moment and my family was a bit scared to see me like this.

'After that, I had some good treatments. The staff and the doctors in the hospital did very well.

'I'm 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.'

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His season began optimistically, with a new contract and high hopes. But Aubameyang's fight with the disease appeared as the latest setback to affect Gunners campaign.

Arsenal are nowhere near where they wish to be in the Premier League and the Europa League semi-finals is the one thing the team are focusing all their strength into.

'I had some really bad seasons at the beginning of my career. In the past few years, this has been the most difficult but this is life sometimes. I know it's been a really tough year because I've had some issues on and off the pitch.

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'But I'm feeling confident for the end of the season. I'm hungry and want to finish it well for the club. Maybe it's the start of the season for me, hopefully

'I was out for a few weeks and I had time to think about all of this season. I have to give something back to the club and to the fans.

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'Everyone was expecting me to score more goals, I know it. Maybe I feel a bit responsible for the situation we are in.

'They are waiting for something from me and it's the right moment to show I am capable of doing it.'

Apart from poor results and malaria, there were more bad news for the Gabonese this season. In January, the club granted him to leave to France to care for his mother in France as she fell ill.

'It was a really nice thing from the club, especially for me because I'm used to seeing my family quite often.

'When I am playing at home they come to the stadium quite often. She's feeling so much better and she's really very well.'

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Not all things that went bad for him were force majeure. Pierre-Emerick got dropped to the bench after arriving late for the game and therefor missed the derby in March against Tottenham.

'Of course I regret that. It was a bad moment but my feeling after the game was just that we had won the derby and this is it. This is part of this season and now it's gone.

'I am just looking forward to end the season well.'

Even though he brought huge wins for the club, such as the FA Cup trophy last season, it has all been forgotten in the eyes of many. Against Manchester City in the semi-finals and in the final against Chelsea as well, he scored two goals in each of the games. Talk about delivering on big occasions.

When facing Valencia two years ago when he recorded a hat-trick to send Arsenal through, Aubameyang showed he likes the pressure of big matches and it is a necessity to bring that energy against Unai Emery and the Yellow Submarine.

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Villarreal current manager and Arsenal's former head tactician Emery labelled Aubameyang a 'killer' striker ahead of his Emirates return.

'I was really motivated in these types of games because a few times I received some criticism about not being involved in big games so I wanted to show people it is not true.' said Auba.

'This is why I am really, really excited to play this game tomorrow, it is a big game and a big moment for all of us, so hopefully I will deliver again.'

EUROPA LEAGUE - Semi finals

Thursday

Second leg

22.00: Roma - Manchester United (First leg 2-6)

22.00: Arsenal - Villareal (First leg 1-2)