LONDON -- Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang confirmed that he has been suffering from malaria after contracting the mosquito-borne disease while on international duty with Gabon.

Arsenal had informed that the club captain was suffering from an "illness" when he missed out on their 3-0 win away to Sheffield United on Sunday, but on Thursday, shortly before his side's Europa League tie away to Slavia Prague, Aubameyang explained what his 'illness' was on his Instagram account.

After thanking fans for their support, he explained that "unfortunately I contracted Malaria whilst being on national team duty in Gabon a few weeks ago. I've spent a few days in hospital this week but I'm already feeling much better every day, thanks to the great doctors that detected and treated the virus so quickly."

"I wasn't really feeling myself the last couple weeks but will be back stronger than ever soon," he wrote, without saying how long he would be out for.