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Morocco coach Gerets justifies Chamakh's absence Coach Gerets clarifies decision to drop Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh from the team in advance of upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers
Morocco coach Eric Gerets on Wednesday explained his decision to drop Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh from his squad, which is scheduled to play against Gambia and Ivory Coast in upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Gerets noted, however, that the player might rejoin the Atlas Lions sometime in the future. "Chamakh didn't play with Arsenal last month, so it's only natural for him to be excluded from the squad," Gerets told French magazine France football. "But I hope he eventually returns to the team," he added. Chamakh, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2010, played only 11 games with the Gunners this season. According to several media reports, the 28-year-old striker could leave the club as early as this summer. On Tuesday, Gerets unveiled his 26-man squad, which, along with Chamakh, failed to include Youssouf Hadji (Stade Rennais) andBadr Al-Kaddouri (Dynamo Kiev). (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)