Arsenal are set to clinch the £11m recruitment of striker Gervinho from Lille.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and his staff are well aware that the striker is another African star who could be absent in January for the African Nations Cup.
Gervinho plays for the Ivory Coast alongside Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue. Alex Song represents Cameroon while Marouane Chamakh is in the Morocco team.
The Lille striker is expected to complete his move to Arsenal in the coming days.
