Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided a fitness update on two of his key players.
The Gunners head coach stated that both Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu have not returned to training.
Partey was said to be nearing full fitness, per previous British media reports.
However, Arteta poured cold water on that speculation, which could rule out Partey from Arsenal action until after the African Cup of Nations.
Arteta said: We're not going to have those two (Partey and Tomiyasu), then we have the suspension of Kai [Havertz], so I think we're gonna have five out, but we have lots of other players willing to play."
Asked on either Partey or Tomiyasu (Asia Cup) playing before international commitments, he added: There is a chance. We'll have to see. They haven't trained yet but hopefully they can evolve in the right way."