Just 20 games of the 2022 World Cup group phase remain and it's make-or-break time for plenty of nations.
From an Arsenal perspective, it's been a good tournament for many of the 10 players selected by their respective countries. Bukayo Saka marked his World Cup debut with a brace against Iran, Matt Turner has looked assured in between the sticks for the USA and Takehiro Tomiyasu helped Japan record a shock win over Germany.
Now, back at London Colney, some of the Gunners' senior players and a few youngsters are back in training as preparations for the Premier League's return are underway. Depending on how things pan out in Qatar this week, Mikel Arteta could soon be welcoming one or two of his World Cup stars back into the fray.
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With that said, what is the state of play regarding all 10 Arsenal players out in Qatar at the moment? Who will be extending their stay for a few more days at the very least and which players are on the brink of elimination and therefore on course to join up with the squad in Dubai for next month's warm-weather training camp?
Below, football.london takes a look at Arsenal's World Cup state of play ahead of the final group game fixtures.
Qualified
At the time of writing, only three nations have booked their place in the World Cup round of 16 stage; holders France, pre-tournament favourites Brazil and Euro 2016 winners Portugal.
That means William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are confirmed to be staying in Qatar for at least another week as the round of 16 ties don't get underway until the weekend with France on course to play on Sunday and Brazil the following the day if they top their respective groups.
Likely to qualify
Only two teams have been eliminated going into the final round of group phase fixtures; host nation Qatar and Canada. Therefore, the remaining seven Arsenal players at the tournament can still join the aforementioned trio in the round of 16 stage if they all secure the required results.
Of the seven, it's almost a guarantee that Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White will be staying on in Qatar as England would need to lose by four goals against Wales to be in any danger of not qualifying. Granit Xhaka's Switzerland should book their round of 16 place by avoiding defeat against Serbia and Thomas Partey's Ghana will qualify if they beat Uruguay.
Potential early return
If the USA fail to beat Iran they can't advance to the knockout stage and that will confirm Turner's early return. Meanwhile, in Group E, Tomiyasu's Japan face Spain in their decider knowing that whilst a point should be enough to qualify, it may not be the case if Germany convincingly beat Costa Rica as any tie-breaker is firstly settled by goal difference.
Should the pair suffer eliminations this week and are given a 10-day break by Arsenal, then they could meet up with their teammates for the warm-weather training camp on December 9 and December 11 respectively, putting them in contention to take part against AC Milan in the Dubai Super Cup tournament.
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