Arsenal will have to do without Mohamed Elneny in January as Egypt head to the Africa Cup of Nations just about when Arsenal’s injury crisis should be in full swing.

Egypt qualified as winners of Group G after three wins and one draw from their four games saw them romp a group that contained Nigeria, Tanzania and Chad.

Chad, however, withdrew from the group due to financial reasons. All their games were annulled and the runners up spot no longer entitled the holder to qualification for the competition as one of the best-placed second-placed teams.

The Super Eagles, and Alex Iwobi, will therefore not take any part in the tournament.

Egypt have previously won the tournament seven times, more than any other side with Cameroon and Ghana the next on the list with four.

The Africa Cup of Nations will take place between 14 January and 5 February, 2017, however players will be expected to join up with their national teams in advance of that date and could be gone for as long as five weeks if they go all the way in the tournament.