<p>Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he is unsure if skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be available for their Premier League trip to Southampton on Tuesday as the Gabon international striker deals with a personal matter.</p>.<p>Aubameyang missed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Southampton which knocked the holders out of the competition. Arteta said the 31-year-old had been withdrawn a few hours before the game began.</p>.<p>"He had a personal matter in the last few hours and we had to send him back," Arteta told Arsenal's website before the contest at St Mary's Stadium.</p>.<p>Asked by reporters later if Aubameyang would be ready for their league clash against the Saints, Arteta said: "I don't know. He needs to address that issue and see how it evolves.</p>.<p>"We're here to support him and he needs to take the time that's needed because that's a priority at the moment."</p>.<p>Aubameyang had signed a new three-year deal in September after guiding Arsenal to the FA Cup title last season, ending speculation over a potential exit from the London side.</p>.<p>He has struggled for form and fitness this season with seven goals in all competitions.</p>.<p>Spaniard Arteta said he was disappointed by their FA Cup exit thanks to Gabriel's first-half own goal.</p>.<p>"We wanted to continue in the competition. We had a dream to do it again - like we did it last year - step by step, but that dream is over," Arteta added.</p>.<p>"I'm disappointed with the way we conceded the goal in an area where we know we shouldn't be doing that and giving the lead to the opponent.</p>.<p>"I cannot fault the effort of the players, how they tried, how they improved throughout the game and tried to go for the goal in the second half."</p>
<p>Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he is unsure if skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be available for their Premier League trip to Southampton on Tuesday as the Gabon international striker deals with a personal matter.</p>.<p>Aubameyang missed Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by Southampton which knocked the holders out of the competition. Arteta said the 31-year-old had been withdrawn a few hours before the game began.</p>.<p>"He had a personal matter in the last few hours and we had to send him back," Arteta told Arsenal's website before the contest at St Mary's Stadium.</p>.<p>Asked by reporters later if Aubameyang would be ready for their league clash against the Saints, Arteta said: "I don't know. He needs to address that issue and see how it evolves.</p>.<p>"We're here to support him and he needs to take the time that's needed because that's a priority at the moment."</p>.<p>Aubameyang had signed a new three-year deal in September after guiding Arsenal to the FA Cup title last season, ending speculation over a potential exit from the London side.</p>.<p>He has struggled for form and fitness this season with seven goals in all competitions.</p>.<p>Spaniard Arteta said he was disappointed by their FA Cup exit thanks to Gabriel's first-half own goal.</p>.<p>"We wanted to continue in the competition. We had a dream to do it again - like we did it last year - step by step, but that dream is over," Arteta added.</p>.<p>"I'm disappointed with the way we conceded the goal in an area where we know we shouldn't be doing that and giving the lead to the opponent.</p>.<p>"I cannot fault the effort of the players, how they tried, how they improved throughout the game and tried to go for the goal in the second half."</p>