Mikel Arteta will be left to sweat over the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe ahead of this weekend's clash with Norwich City.
Arsenal, who are currently bottom of the Premier League table after the opening three games of the season, welcome the Canaries to the Emirates Stadium in what is already a must-win clash for Arteta and co.
However, the Gunners boss, when speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, revealed that Smith Rowe is currently struggling with an illness and will be assessed ahead of the match.
"He's carrying an illness. He's not been feeling good. Let's see how he is in the next couple of days," Arteta said on Smith Rowe.
The 21-year-old, who recently signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, has been such an integral component in Arteta's side since breaking into the first team last season.
Arteta described Smith Rowe, as well as fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka, as "extraordinary" when asked about the duo in January.
“When we are winning they put a smile on my face,” he said. "I know what they are capable of doing, they are developing really well.
"The performances they are putting in are extraordinary."
If Arteta is unable to pick Smith Rowe, or if he does not want to risk the midfielder, then he could call on Nicolas Pepe.
The 26-year-old winger has endured a mixed time since moving to Arsenal in the summer of 2019 for £72million, and this season looks like it could be defining for him at the Emirates.
Pepe has just less than three years remaining on his contract with the Gunners and will be looking to force himself into Arteta's plans over the course of the campaign.
Martin Odegaard's recent signing was not good news for Pepe, with the Norway international slotting into the middle, Smith Rowe on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right.
Pepe usually plays off the right-hand side and prefers to cut onto his favoured left foot, but Saka has been used there recently.
Saka can play on either side and has been deployed on the left on various occasions by Arteta.
If Smith Rowe is unable to play against Norwich, then Pepe may come in. Saka would most likely move to the left and Pepe would slot in on the right side.
Pepe's record against bottom half clubs makes for good reading heading into a game against one of the relegation favourites.
The Ivorian wide man scored 10 Premier League goals last season, with eight of them coming against teams that finished in the bottom 10.
Pepe does tend to enjoy the matches against the so-called 'weaker' sides in the top-flight and he could be looking to prove a point should he get time out on the pitch at the weekend.
The former Lille star was an unused substitute in Arsenal's heavy defeat to Manchester City before the international break and will be desperate to get some game time on Saturday afternoon.
