Arsenal's Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been left out of their squad to face Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has decided to stick with Spaniard Manuel Almunia as his number one and has not even named the German as his substitute goalkeeper.
"Almunia will play and I have decided to stick with the same team and keep the continuity going," Wenger told reporters at his pre-match news conference on Friday.
"In my opinion we have three world class keepers and only one of them can play. I have got 25 players in the squad and they all expect to play."
Polish international goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who joined Arsenal from Legia Warsaw in the close season, will again be on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.
"The player (Lehmann) is disappointed but there is a lot of competition for places. He is an intelligent guy and knows what he has to do," added Wenger.
"Jens is a world class keeper but I had to make the choice for the continuity of the side."
Lehmann was expected to return after recovering from Achilles and elbow injuries, having played for Germany against Ireland in a Euro 2008 qualifier last week.
Although he was suspended for Germany's qualifier against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, Lehmann hoped to get his club season back on track with a recall by Arsenal this week.
The decision is certain to infuriate the experienced keeper who knows he needs regular first team football so he can play at the European Championship finals next year.
Germany coach Joachim Loew has set Lehmann a December deadline to regain his place with the north London club or will reconsider who plays in goal for the national side.
Wenger has no doubts the 37-year-old still has the ability to play at the highest level but with Lehmann making mistakes in his opening games against Fulham and Blackburn Rovers, the Frenchman feels Almunia is the best choice at the moment.