Bukayo Saka has been excluded from Arsenal's side to face Bournemouth this afternoon after he picked up a knock in England's loss to Greece.
Mikel Arteta said the winger would be assessed ahead of the clash but the star has not proved his fitness in time, with Raheem Sterling starting instead.
The Gunners star has made an electric start to the season, scoring twice and assisting seven times as the north London side vie with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
But he had Arsenal fans' hearts in mouths last week when he trudged off the pitch at Wembley during the Three Lions' humiliating 2-1 loss at the hands of 48th-ranked Greece.
It later emerged he had been forced off with a thigh problem and he withdrew from the squad before England's win over Finland on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka has been excluded from Arsenal 's side to face Bournemouth this afternoon after he picked up a knock in England's loss to Greece
The Gunners star has made an electric start to the season, scoring twice and assisting seven
Mikel Arteta said the winger would be assessed ahead of the clash but the star has not proved his fitness in time
And, despite Arteta's encouraging remarks in yesterday's press conference, the winger has been left out of the starting lineup for Saturday's clash on the south coast.
It opens the door for Sterling, who made the switch from Chelsea on loan this summer, with the 29-year-old slotting into Arsenal's talented frontline.
The Englishman has played just 184 minutes for the north London outfit this season, including three brief subsitute appearances in the Premier League.
Mikel Merino has also been gifted his first start for the Gunners, coming in for Jorginho in the middle of the park. The Spaniard signed for Arteta's side for £27.4m from Real Sociedad in the summer.
Regulars Ben White and Leandro Trossard returned to the fold, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus assuming spots on the bench at the Vitality Stadium.
The good news for Arsenal fans is that Kai Havertz, who also suffered a knock on international duty, was passed fit and given a chance to continue his fine run of form leading the Gunners line.
Arteta, typically coy when asked about fitness issues, hinted at the German's return on Friday.
He said: 'He had a few issues and we've been dealing with that. He's been absolutely brilliant. He has very good communication with the national team, with the manager, and he understood the situation.
'Again, if he trains well today, he's got a good chance to be fit and available.'
His optimism on Saka's condition was slightly less well-placed, with the Englishman sitting out the match after trudging off the pitch against 48th-ranked Greece.
It opens the door for Raheem Sterling, who made the switch from Chelsea on loan this summer
The good news for Arsenal fans is that Kai Havertz, who also suffered a knock on international duty, was passed fit
Gabriel Martinelli was another victim of international duty as he picked up a calf problem and has been consigned to the bench
'It's not a serious injury,' he said.
'He's evolving really well. He's done a few things in the last two days. Obviously he wasn't fit enough to play with the national team the second game.
'But we are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon, he did some bits yesterday, so let's see if he can make it on time.'