Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is delighted with the spirit and support the squad has shown to skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang, 31, is ready to return to the starting line-up at Aston Villa having missed three games after making a mercy dash to visit his seriously ill mother in France.
Arteta said: “It shows the spirit around the dressing-room and how much we care for each other.
"When things are difficult and you are away from that place you think 'are they thinking of me? Are they supporting me?' And the answer is a big 'yes.'
“He's a player that is very much liked and respected because of his character and for what he's done at the club. He totally deserved that support.
“Individually for him it's been tough because when you see a member of your family suffering and going through a difficult period, it drains you emotionally and you have to be close to them.
"And I think he made the right decision to be next to them.
“But he wants to be here, he wants to be training, he doesn't want to miss football matches. You know Auba. He wants to play every minute of every single competition.
“So he was having the responsibility to be with his family but at the same time he wanted to be here. He was training on his own and I think he's managed that really well."
