attentional cocci: Africa Cup of Nations: How will Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and others cope?

By Tom Clarke

Last updated at 11:03 AM on 6th January 2012

Because of the influx of leading African players in the Barclays Premier League, managers are left shuffling their packs when the biannual Africa Cup of Nations arrives.

This year the tournament - held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea - could play a huge role in the destination of the title as clubs scramble to plug gaps left by star players. This is a testament surely to the continent's continued progress.

Nowhere could it be more telling than at the Etihad Stadium. Yaya and Kolo Toure are two names in the Ivory Coast line-up. Manchester City had a wobble over Christmas but Yaya was the driving force in their reviving 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Missing: Manchester City will need to do without Kolo and Yaya Toure

Despite the millions spent assembling Roberto Mancini?s squad, Yaya?s role has been described as unique by the City manager: 'I have tried to find another Yaya in my squad but there isn?t another Yaya. He is a very important player. For this reason January is a big month.?

So, who's missing?

ARSENAL: Gervinho (Ivory Coast), Marouane Chamakh (Morocco)

CHELSEA: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast)

MANCHESTER CITY: Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

NEWCASTLE: Demba Ba (Senegal), Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast)

QPR: Adel Taarabt (Morocco), Armand Traore (Senegal)

STOKE: Diao (Senegal)

WIGAN: Mohamed Diame (Senegal), Steve Gohouri (Ivory Coast)

Also:

BIRMINGHAM: Guirane Ndaw (Senegal),

LEICESTER: John Pantsil (Ghana)

His job has been made even harder by Gareth Barry?s suspension following his red card against Liverpool.

The first test for Mancini will come on Sunday for their heavyweight clash with Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui rejected a plea for the Toure brothers to join up with their country on Monday.

The Toures also miss the two Carling Cup semi-finals against Liverpool and the crunch league clash at home to Tottenham, as well as potential Premier League fixtures against Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa depending on the Ivory Coast?s run in the competition. It could be a defining month for City.

In London, Africa?s absentees means pressure mounts on two strikers. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned of expecting too much of Thierry Henry, but the onus will fall on him to fill the notable absence left by Gervinho on the left flank.

Although he has not contributed as many goals as Wenger will have hoped (four in 24 games), Gervinho has been a valuable supply for Robin Van Persie?s record-breaking year.

With fellow wingers Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin woefully inconsistent, Gunners fans will be desperate for Henry to pick up where he left off at the Emirates.

Blow: Arsenal must do without Gervinho while he plays in the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast

In west London, Chelsea will demand Fernando Torres finally starts scoring. If not, Andres Villas-Boas? troubled debut season may well go from bad to worse before Didier Drogba returns.

THE GROUPS

Group A: Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal, Zambia
Group B: Ivory Coast, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Angola
Group C: Gabon, Niger, Morocco, Tunisia
Group D: Ghana, Botswana, Mali, Guinea

The importance of Drogba to Chelsea cannot be understated. He may not be in scintillating form in front of goal ? we are accustomed to more than just six goals at this stage of the season ? but he adds direction and physicality that neither Torres Daniel Sturridge can provide.

Newcastle?s loss will be Senegal?s gain as Demba Ba continued his clinical form in front of goal in the 3-0 win over Manchester United.

That makes it six in as many games for the Magpies and it is hard to see where Alan Pardew will plug the 15-goal gap - the rest of his team cannot muster as many goals combined in the Premier League.

He'll be missed: Drogba is a favourite at Stamford Bridge

If Ba provided the finish against United, it was Ivorian Cheick Tiote who provided the engine for the performance. He was given the unenviable job of marking Wayne Rooney and a fine job he did. So much so that it was Rooney who was asked to leave the game early.

THE KEY DATES

Group stages: 21/01/12 ? 01/02/12

Quarter-finals:
1. 04/02/12: 1st A v 2nd B, Bata
2. 04/02/12: 1st B v 2nd A, Malabo
3. 05/02/12: 1st C v 2nd D, Libreville
4. 05/02/12: 1st D v 2nd C, Franceville
?
Semi-finals:
08/02/12: QF1 winner v QF4 winner, Bata
08/02/12: QF3 winner v QF2 winner, Libreville
?
Final:
12/02/2012, Libreville

But as some of the league?s most important players head for the departure lounge, it is noticeable both the Manchester United and Spurs squads remain unchanged.

United will be particularly grateful as they attempt to steady a rocking ship by aiming for points away to Arsenal and Chelsea, and Liverpool at home.

If they can stay within touching distance of their rivals City after this tricky period, Sir Alex Ferguson will back his team to overtake them during their easier run-in.

At the other end of the table, Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt?s call-up has come at a bad time for QPR as he starts to find his form and correct question marks over his attitude.

Taarabt steered his side well after Joey Barton was sent off against Norwich and was unlucky to be on the losing team. QPR manager Neil Warnock said: ?He is getting fitter and fitter and it is just a shame he is going to be away at the Nations Cup.?