AFCON: Arsenal absentees overview

[Zenith]

Unless something happens, (e.g. injury, or illness) 4 Arsenal players will leave for the AFCON before December 27th:

Piere-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
Thomas Partey (Ghana)
Nicolas Pépé (Ivory Coast)

FIFA rules state clubs have to release players by the Monday morning prior to AFCON kick off on January 9th. In this case, that particular Monday is December 27th.

Elneny, Partey and Pépé will almost certainly progress to the knockout stage, meaning that they probably won't be returning to the club before early (or mid) February. Add a week's leave, and we'd be lucky if they're all available before the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on February 12th.

If Gabon finish third—behind Egypt/Ghana and above Sudan—Auba could potentially qualify for the knockout stage based on Gabon's FIFA ranking. Not sure how Gabon's ranking compares to that of other potential third-placed teams, but even if they don't progress to the knockout stage, Aubameyang might not be available before the game against Wolves on February 8th.

Availability Overiew

GREEN: likely available
ORANGE: potentially unavailable
RED: unavailable (group stage ongoing)
*excluding potential injuries, or illness.

December (TBD): Sunderland - EFL Cup: Quarter Final (H)
December 26th: Norwich City - Premier League (A) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
December 28th: Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League (H) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé

January 1st: Manchester City - Premier League (H) → Mahrez, Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
January 5th: EFL Cup: Semi-Finals - 1st leg (TBD) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
January 8th: FA Cup: Third Round (TBD) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
January 12th: EFL Cup: Semi-Finals - 2nd leg (TBD) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
January 15th: Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League (A) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
January 22nd: Burnley - Premier League (H) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé

February 5th: FA Cup: Fourth Round (TBD) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
February 8th: Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League (A) → Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
February 12th: Chelsea FC - Premier League (A) → Mendy, Ziyech, Aubameyang, Elneny, Partey, Pépé
February 19th: Brentford FC - Premier League (A)

[ag6789]

So by the current roster Matinelli, Laca and Nktiah will have a good run of games up front , and so will AMN and Odegaard in the midfield. Maybe time for Mari or White to step up as DM, assuming we won't buy any midfielder in January.
Tough (PL) and important games( cup games) coming up so hopefully these guys will take their chances and try to establish themselves.

[billie86]

Partey and Auba will be big misses for us, a midfield of xhaka and lakongo with AMN as the only back up for a month or so isn't ideal. I'd be very surprised if we don't get another midfielder in January.

[swipe right]

Partey and Auba will be big misses for us, a midfield of xhaka and lakongo with AMN as the only back up for a month or so isn't ideal. I'd be very surprised if we don't get another midfielder in January.

Charlie Patino. He’s already here.

[CrimsonGunner11]

In house solution: Miguel Azeez

Ideally we buy a midfielder

[BexleyGooner]

Such a body blow to us losing Auba and Partey. Think we’ll struggle badly. Shame we couldn’t have had Liverpool in that time. At least we wouldn’t have had to face Salah and Mane.

I just find it unfair the way it punishes some teams more than others.

[theHotHead]

Honestly I don't think Partey will be that big a loss for us, its not like he has played anywhere near to his potential for us.

I'd play Martinelli with Laca as a front 2, Martinelli looks to make lots of forward runs so should complement playing alongside Laca who likes to receive the ball to feet.