Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Borussia Dortmund manager Peter Stoger insists he will select star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang despite his potential move to Arsenal.
Dortmund have slipped out of the Bundesliga's top four after drawing their last two games against VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC.
Aubameyang, who leads the team's scoring charts, didn't play in either of the games, with Andrey Schurrle and Alexander Isak given opportunities to play up front.
"Obviously, Champions League qualification is a must for a club like (BVB)," Stoger said in his press conference.
"But it's not always that easy in professional sport. We just didn't win two games we could have won."
Aubameyang missed the Wolfsburg clash due to a suspension he was handed by the club for missing a team meeting, and was unavailable for the Hertha tie because he was distracted, presumably by Arsenal's transfer bids.
The Gabon international seems likely to leave Dortmund for the Gunners this month, but Stoger insists he will pick the 28-year-old nonetheless.
"That is nothing I would consider," said Stoger when asked if he would keep Aubameyang on the sidelines to prevent injury ahead of a move.
"The risk to pick up an injury in training is high. If somebody is fit, you will use him. He trained well all week. Unless anything comes up, then Auba has qualified to be a part of the matchday squad."
Dortmund will host SC Freiburg in a Bundesliga game on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will travel to Swansea City on Tuesday for a Premier League clash after their midweek victory against Chelsea in the League Cup.
Kick-off is 21:45 (SA time).
