Arsenal could be without Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue for up to six weeks after Ivory Coast qualified for next year's African Cup of Nations.
The biennial competition will take place in Ghana from January 20 to February 10, 2008. The Elephants, beaten finalists in 2006, will be among the favourites to lift the trophy and are expected to include Toure and Eboue in their squad for the tournament.
The duo could miss as many as 10 Arsenal fixtures, depending on how early they join up with their national squad, how far Ivory Coast advance in Ghana and how well the Gunners fare in domestic cup competitions.
The absence of Toure and Eboue will be a blow to Arsène Wenger but the Frenchman can now call upon Emmanuel Adebayor during the tournament. Adebayor was expected to lead Togo's attack in Ghana but his country failed to qualify after losing their final group game in Mali.
Alex Song is also eligible for the tournament but has yet to break into the Cameroon national side.
The draw for the 2008 African Cup of Nations will take place on Friday, October 19. We will bring you all the Arsenal-related news from the tournament when it kicks off in January.
Out in Africa - the Arsenal games they could missJanuary 1: Premier League - West Ham United (h)
January 5/6: FA Cup Third Round
January 9: Carling Cup Semi-Final first leg *
January 12: Premier League - Birmingham (h)
January 19: Premier League - Fulham (a)
January 23: Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg *
January 26/27: FA Cup Fourth Round *
January 29: Premier League - Newcastle (h)
February 2: Premier League - Manchester City (a)
February 9: Premier League - Blackburn (h)
* If Arsenal remain in the competition
