This week, according to multiple sources, the African Cup of Nations may be postponed indefinitely.
Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud and Mirror reporter David Lynch both tweeted on Wednesday that the AFRICAN Football Federation expected to announce the postponement of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mahmoud said discussions were underway in the NFA and it was likely that the event would be postponed, but it could also be held without players playing in the Europa League.
Lynch added that the discussion also touched on the issue of compensation for the host, Cameroon.
In light of the current pandemic, the European Clubs Association sent a letter to FIFA expressing concerns about the health of the players and a copy to the NFA.
However, at present, the parties are not unanimous.
Saddick Adams reported that the NFA refuted the rumors, and that the NFA's head of media relations and operations made the reports "fake news".
On Friday, the Daily Mail reported that Premier League clubs believe the tournament will be postponed due to the worsening of the epidemic.
Sports Post said that "although the African Football Federation has denied it, the African Cup of Nations is in a serious crisis. The spread of the Olmikron variant has made European clubs worried about players who have left the team to compete. ”
The possible postponement of the tournament will obviously have an impact on Arsenal, with four players in the Gunners likely to miss multiple games for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Thomas (Ghana), Aubameyang (Gabon), Pepe (Côte d'Ivoire) and Elnene (Egypt) will compete with their respective national teams in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Although there are reports that January 3 is the day the players leave the team, they may start reporting to the national team on December 27.
Below are Arsenal fixtures for the relevant period, with unconfirmed fixtures in bold.
December 27 – The first day a player may begin to leave the team
· 28 December – Arsenal vs Wolves
· 1 January – Arsenal vs Manchester City
January 3 – The second day that players may begin to leave the team
· 5 January – League Cup semi-final first leg
· 8 January – Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
· 12 January – League Cup semi-final second leg
· January 15 – Tottenham v Arsenal
January 20 – The African Cup of Nations group stage is over, the earliest possible time for players to return to the team
· 22 January – Arsenal vs Burnley
· 5 February – FA Cup Round 4
February 6 – The African Cup of Nations closes
· February 8 – Wolves vs Arsenal