The Africa Cup of Nations comes back into focus at the start of 2024 with 24 national sides bidding for continental glory in the Ivory Coast.
However, the tournament continues to be a controversial topic in European football, as the January-February scheduling means players from participating nations will be forced to depart their clubs mid-season to join up with their national teams.
Clubs from across the Premier League and Europe will have no choice but to release some of their key stars during a busy period within the domestic calendar
Arsenal will be one of the sides impacted by the tournament but the Gunners will not lose as many players as their rivals to AFCON duty. The Sporting News explains all here.
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When is AFCON 2024? Fixtures, dates Arsenal players could miss
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations – rescheduled to the new year but keeping its name due to sponsorship reasons – will run from mid-January through mid-February of 2024, with players leaving their clubs during that time for international duty.
A total of 24 nations have qualified for the final tournament, with the group stage lasting 11 days. The top two teams in each group will advance to the last 16, plus the top four third-place finishers.
The knockout stages begin on January 27 with the final scheduled for February 11.
| Stage | Dates | Nations |
| Group Stage | Jan. 13 — 24 | 24 |
| Round of 16 | Jan. 27 — 30 | 16 |
| Quarterfinals | Feb. 2 — 3 | 8 |
| Semifinals | Feb. 7 | 4 |
| 3rd Place Match | Feb. 10 | 2 |
| Final | Feb. 11 | 2 |
Arsenal at-risk fixtures during AFCON
These fixtures are confirmed for Arsenal during the period which the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be held, meaning their African players could well miss them.
| Date | Competition | Match |
| Jan. 20, 2024 | Premier League | vs. Crystal Palace |
| Jan. 30, 2024 | Premier League | at Nottingham Forest |
| Feb. 3, 2024 | Premier League | vs. Liverpool |
| Feb. 10, 2024 | Premier League | at West Ham |
Other potential fixtures for Arsenal during AFCON
The following fixtures could be added to the list and could be impacted by how far certain nations advance at AFCON 2024.
| Date | Competition | Stage |
| Jan. 7, 2024 | FA Cup | 3rd Round vs. Liverpool |
| Jan. 27, 2024 | FA Cup | 4th Round |
Arsenal players at AFCON 2024
Arsenal's sole absentee for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, from mid-January 2024 through mid-February, is midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Thomas Partey was named in Ghana's provisional squad, but has since withdrawn through injury, with Takehiro Tomiyasu away with Japan at the AFC Asian Cup, which broadly mirrors AFCON.
Mohamed Elneny — MID, Egypt
Elneny has missed a significant chunk of the season due to injury, but the Egyptian international has since returned to action with Mikel Arteta's side.
The veteran midfielder is usually a backup option for Arteta, but his absence could be important as the potential for missing January FA Cup games, come at exactly the point where he could be needed as cover.
Egypt won five of their six qualifiers on route to reaching the tournament, with Elneny starting in three alongside Liverpool star Mo Salah.