Thomas Partey's Arsenal return date will become clearer by Tuesday evening.
The midfielder has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) since early January, with his temporary parting gift to the Gunners being a man-of-the-match showing in the 2-1 loss against Manchester City.
It's still up for debate as to whether Mikel Arteta's side have actually missed Partey during his absence. In the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round, they most certainly did as wonderkid Charlie Patino had a senior Arsenal debut to forget.
But against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg four days later, the Gunners' midfield consisted of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli after Granit Xhaka was sent-off and to their credit, they dug deep despite playing out of position to help the visitors leave Anfield with an unlikely goalless draw.
However, Xhaka's dismissal came at a cost as Arsenal's midfield crisis deepened.
Prior to Sunday's postponed North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur - where the Gunners had fewer than the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper) - Arteta's options in the middle of the park were limited, to say the least.
As well as Partey, Mohamed Elneny is also away at AFCON, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined AS Roma on loan, thereby leaving Lokonga as the only recognised senior central midfielder available for selection right now.
The good news for Arsenal is that as the tournament ends on February 6, it means their trio of representatives still in Cameroon - including Nicolas Pepe - will be back in time for the trip to Wolves four days later.
Whether they'll be in line to make the matchday squad remains to be seen, however.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's participation at AFCON is in doubt with him set to return to Arsenal due to ongoing health issues, and Partey could be joining him back at London Colney shortly.
In fact, if there's perhaps an outside chance of the 28-year-old being available for Sunday's Premier League clash at home to Burnley, should that game go ahead.
This is because things have not gone to plan for the Black Stars, who lost their opener against Morocco before conceding late on against Gabon to go into their final game with one point.
Ghana are back in action this evening as they face Comoros, knowing the introduction of the best third-placed teams - which came into effect at the previous tournament in 2019 - sealing qualification to the knockout round hands them a lifeline.
Yesterday (Monday) marked the start of the final group stage games at AFCON with hosts nation Cameroon qualifying ahead of Burkina Faso and Cape Verde.
The latter missed out on automatic qualification due to their head-to-head result against Burkina Faso, but with four points they have set the pace for the best third-place teams.
All of which is of great interest to Partey as he will be well aware of the set of results that could either keep his dream of winning the tournament alive or send him home early.
So when could he make his Arsenal return? football.london runs you through all the permutations on what is a decisive day for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana win
Victory over Comoros coupled with Morocco beating Gabon will confirm Ghana's place in the round of 16 as Group C runners-up.
However, should Gabon avoid defeat it could result in a nervous wait for Partey and company as they will hope to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.
A clear indication as to if Ghana will be successful could come as early as this evening with Malawi facing Senegal, otherwise, they may have to wait until the final group stage games have been played.
With that said, four points should be enough for Ghana to reach the knockout phase, especially if they beat Comoros by at least three clear goals as that would give them a superior goal difference to Cape Verde in any head-to-head battle.
If the Black Stars progress, Partey's stay in Cameroon will be extended by a further week at least.
Ghana draw
It gets a little complicated here as two points could magically be enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
But for that to happen, Ghana would need Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Algeria - teams going into the final group game with one point or less - to lose.
The criteria for defining the best four third-placed teams as per CAF's official website is as follows:
a) greater number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference resulting from all group matches;
c) greater number of goals scored in all group matches;
d) drawing of lots by CAF Organising Committee.
As any draw wouldn't improve Ghana's -1 goal difference, a high scoring affair against Comoros would be beneficial as they'd be ahead of Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Algeria on goals scored.
For example, a 3-3 draw would give them a total of four goals scored. That coupled with Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Sierra Leone all losing to Nigeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea, respectively, are the set of results that would be in Ghana's favour.
Even if Algeria were to avoid defeat against Ivory Coast, a goalless draw is the dream outcome for the Black Stars as the current holders would be knocked out by virtue of scoring fewer goals.
As Sierra Leone and Algeria aren't in action until Thursday, this scenario means Ghana will not discover their fate until after the final group game is played and therefore Partey will be around in Cameroon until Friday morning at the earliest.
Ghana lose
This is the one result that would guarantee Ghana's exit from the competition tonight as defeat against Comoros would see them finish bottom of the group and heading home earlier than many would have expected.
This scenario would likely mean Ghana head home as early as Wednesday morning.
Therefore, Partey, barring any injury or quarantine needs, could be in contention to make an Arsenal appearance before the month is out.
