The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations is now just around the corner and clubs from across the Premier League are preparing to do without star players for a number of weeks, including Arsenal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey are all set to travel to Cameroon with their respective nations ahead of the turn of the year, with the tournament kicking off on January 9.
However, players are expected to join up with their respective nations in good time before the tournament starts, unless an extension can be negotiated.
Liverpool have reportedly requested a delay to their stars release for the tournament, with Jurgen Klopp confident the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will be free to play against Chelsea on January 2.
Now Arsenal are following suit.
Ghana, as with all other nations, have asked that players be released on December 27 so they can join up with their teammates in good time before the tournament starts.
Mikel Arteta is now attempting for that date to be pushed back to the 28th so midfielder Partey will be able to play against Wolves in the lunch-time kick-off that day.
It is a move that has got the fans talking, with many differing views flying about. Here is the best of the response from both Reddit and Twitter.
Vrty33 said: "That’d be tremendous."
Varro-reatinus said: "We're obligated to let him go if they insist; we're just negotiating a favour, basically.."
Terminator_1264 said: "I get why international competition is important but arsenal pay his salary and still take all the risk when he plays for his country, keeping him for an extra game and letting him be a little late to training camp shouldn't be an issue."
@Tapinelli said: "What is wrong with us?"
@Kaeoszr said: "Liverpool ain’t releasing Salah and Mane until chelsea (jan 2nd) we should ask to keep Partey until after city (jan 1st)."
@Awwal_gimba said: "I don’t like it that he’s joining the National team when we lack depth in his position."
@Iamohmai said: "We don't need Partey for wolves."
