Mikel Arteta's summer transfer plans for Arsenal have to factor in the unique predicament he will find himself in at the beginning of 2024.
Between January 13 and February 11, the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the Ivory Coast. So with Egypt already qualified and Ghana on course to do so too, the Gunners manager could be without and Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey for up to a month early on in the new year if both players are called up by their respective nations.
Having said that, at the same time as AFCON, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be underway and following Japan's qualification for the tournament in Qatar, the north London outfit will face the prospect of losing Takehiro Tomiyasu for a similar timeframe, especially if his nation reaches the final.
