An explanation for the respective absences of Granit Xhaka, Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Folarin Balogun from Arsenal's squad against Nottingham Forest tonight has been given.
FA Cup Test
Mikel Arteta's men will of course mark their return soon.
In good form (although the game saw them unlucky in their last loss to Manchester City), the Gunners turned their attention to the FA Cup business on Sunday.
Arsenal will begin their 2021/22 campaign in the competition when they meet aforementioned Forest at the City Ground.
The guests, for obvious reasons, in dire need of a win, gave up their beloved FA Cup less than a year ago, in January 2021, due to a loss of No. Southampton.
LONDON, UK - SEPTEMBER 26: Arsenal's Emile Smith Lowe celebrates his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on September 26, 2021. (Photo: Clive Rose / Getty Images)
However, as noted above, such an attempt by Arteta's army to reserve a place in the fourth round would result in the Spaniard being unable to summon a large number of key players.
The quartet of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneni and Nicolas Pepe, of course, flew out this week to claim their respective places in the African Cup of Nations.
And as confirmed in the club's latest official statement on social media, Arsenal will also not have four more first-team options at city ground.
Granit Jaka and Folarin Balogun will miss their match against Forest after both test positive for Covid19.
Elsewhere, Emile Smith Lowe can't walk today because of a tight groin, but Takehiro Tomiyasu has a shin problem.
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