Mohamed Elneny’s Instagram story suggests he’s suffered an injury, ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Blackpool on Wednesday.

Elneny posted a video of himself working hard in the Arsenal training centre, captioned: “Soon inshallah (God willing) I will be back”.

Although we haven’t been given any official updates from the club or Unai Emery on the midfielder’s situation, this might explain why he was substituted so early against Sporting Lisbon and didn’t make the squad against Crystal Palace.

It’s difficult timing for Arsenal, given all the other injuries at the moment, and the hectic fixture list. It was expected that Elneny would start alongside Guendouzi against Blackpool, with Xhaka filling in at left-back, as Kolasinac and Monreal are still out.

Without Elneny, Torreira might have to start against Blackpool, meaning neither he nor Xhaka will get a rest ahead of Liverpool at the weekend. Alternatively, Ramsey could drop back into the holding midfield position, with Smith Rowe playing ahead of him. Either way, it’s another unwanted puzzle for Unai Emery to figure out.

Hopefully, the injury is nothing serious, and Elneny returns to the action as soon as possible.