Arsene Wenger says Francis Coquelin may be involved in Saturday's Premier League match against Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium.
The 23-year-old started at right back in the Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton in September and was called back from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic on Friday afternoon.
Wenger has restricted options ahead of the weekend's match, with Aaron Ramsey the latest player to become a doubt.
"He told me yesterday he was very positive and much better and that he would play, then he texted me late last night and said he was out," the manager said. "I called Coquelin back from Charlton."
With Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers all unavailable on Saturday, Mathieu Debuchy could start at centre half.
"That is what I have to decide," Wenger said. "I have asked him already.
"Yes, of course [it's a big ask], but the solution I have to decide will not be ideal, it will be a gamble. But there is not a massive difference between right-back and centre-back."
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