Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appears to have suffered every club manager's worst nightmare - losing your best players to injury while their away on international duty.
To make matters worse, the Gunners very next game just so happens to be their fierce local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Thomas Partey would have been one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet for that clash, but his presence is now in doubt.
This is because the midfielder withdrew from the Ghana starting line-up just minutes before their friendly against Brazil on Friday night after he felt some discomfort during the warm-up. Partey has proven how integral he is to the way Arsenal play and Arteta's side look much more of a threat with him involved.
Ghana's football federation have not yet disclosed what kind of potential injury Partey may have suffered, but it would extend a troubling theme the former Atletico Madrid man has endured since joining Arsenal.
Partey's time at the Emirates has been plauged with injuries, just this season alone the 29-year-old has been forced to sit out three of the Gunners games as a result of a problem with his knee. His absence was sorely felt during the recent 3-1 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.
From his arrival in late 2020 to the final day of last season, Partey has missed 19 Premier League matches for Arsenal through fitness issues. This latest one could thrust his deputy Albert Sambi Lokonga into the spotlight if the Belgian is forced to step in for him against Spurs on October 1.
Reports have since emerged that Partey's last-minute withdrawal was a precaution. The midfielder reported his discomfort to Ghana's medical staff, who then advised him to pull out with a view to Tuesday's clash Nicaragua. Arteta will be keeping a keen eye on Ghana's next game to ensure if Partey does play he gets through the game unscathed.
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Partey is not the only player who is a cause for concern, right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu has been withdrawn from the Japan squad and will presumably return to Arsenal's London Colney training base.
In the statement confirming his unexpected departure from the Japan FA there is no mention of any injury. Instead, they simply state Tomiyasu's departure is down to 'club circumstances'.
This may suggest that Tomiyasu has been recalled by the Gunners, potentially with a view to start him for the visit of Spurs. With that being said, the 23-year-old is yet to start a single game so far this season due to his own persistent injury struggles curtailing his pre-season.
The Gunners could put some daylight between themselves and Spurs if they were to beat Antonio Conte's side at the Emirates. Arsenal are currently top of the league by a single point, while their North London neighbours are third just one point behind.
