Arteta: “Auba is having a difficult time and we are all behind him”

’s 3-1 victory over

was dedicated to

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

by the club manager

Mikel Arteta

. Right after a presence at Saturday’s FA Cup match, the striker did not make an appearance at St Mary’s and the club has stated the reason behind his absence is a family emergency.

To remind Aubameyang that they were thinking about him, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette messaged the striker after they met the target.

“

I love how they support each other and how they protect each other,

” said the Arsenal boss. “

Auba is having a difficult time and we are all behind him. This win was for him.”

Arteta refused to provide an update on the 31-year-old’s situation before the Saturday clash with the current leaders

.

Kieran Tierney

was also rested and did not feature in the victory at Southampton as he is dealing with a leg injury and his return for the weekend is yet unknown.

"

I don't know,

” Arteta said, when asked if the 23-year-old will be back on action. “

He wasn't available against Southampton in the FA Cup. He was injured. He is still injured today. Let's see how he progresses for the game against Man Utd."

Arsenal are sitting eighth on the

table ahead of the Saturday clash and have had their fifth victory in their last six league outings. They are five points adrift of the top four who hunt for the title. However, Arsenal’s recent turnaround in form is not getting Arteta carried away.

 “

I don’t want to really look at the table,

” he said. “

I want to look at ourselves and how we can get better and how we can get that consistency that we have been lacking. Tomorrow is another day, we’ll review the game, train, look at the many areas where we have two get better and see what we get.”

Arteta added: “

To come to here [Southampton] and play the way we played against a real good side, I think we should be proud. It’s never easy to come here against this team.”

The Gunners boss was also confident that a loan deal with Real Madrid to acquire Martin Odegaard is on the verge of being signed.

The 22-year-old midfielder has arrived in England on Sunday evening and will complete his transfer sooner rather than later.

“

I think we are pretty close, but it’s not finalised as I understand it

” said the Gunners boss. “

I haven’t talked to Edu or the club in the last few hours. But we are very positive that we can finalise the deal.”

Follow

for the