Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants an explanation from first-choice defender Lauren Etame Mayer about his late return from the African Nations Cup.
Lauren, like his team-mates, went back to Cameroon following the victory over Senegal in the final of Mali 2002.
Football officials said the players should stay in Cameroon for an official reception with President Paul Biya.
But after four days of waiting he had still not arrived back from an overseas trip.
Arsenal had to contact the Cameroon football association to find out where Lauren had got to.
He is due back at Arsenal late on Friday, but will not be in the team`s line-up to face Gillingham in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Kanu returns
Although Wenger is unlikely to take action against
Lauren, it will not do their relationship any favours.
Wenger said: "We did not expect him not to come back so we contacted the Cameroon football federation. They told us he was being presented to the president.
"Of course I would have liked him back earlier. I would probably not have played him in the FA Cup but it is good to get players used to the English climate again as soon as possible.
Nigerian team-mate, Nwankwo Kanu returned on Monday.
Two years ago he went walkabout after the Nations Cup, incurring the wrath of his manger.
Wenger said it took three days for Kanu to get used to English conditions again after the heat of Mali.
"We`ll see what happens with Lauren when he gets back. I will talk to him and then we will see," he said.
