Freddie Ljungberg has been excused from Sweden's friendly against Croatia in Stockholm next Wednesday so he can concentrate fully on Arsenal's bid to land the Premiership and FA Cup double.
Sweden's joint coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback took the decision today having initially named the midfielder in the squad on Tuesday.
"I am grateful the coaches have released me from this game because of Arsenal's very tough program directly after the friendly in Stockholm," said Ljungberg.
The Gunners, who are three points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United but have a game in hand, face a hectic end to the season.
They play league games against Leeds on May 4, Southampton on May 7 and Sunderland on May 11 before meeting the Saints again at Cardiff on May 18 in the FA Cup final.
"We are looking to repeat last year's double and I must concentrate on just Arsenal's games," Ljungberg added.
"After the games with Arsenal I am looking forward to Sweden's Euro 2004 qualifiers against San Marino and Poland at the beginning of June."
Soderback, who will wait until after this weekend's Allsvenskan games before naming a replacement, admitted it was not a difficult decision to leave Ljungberg out.
"This is in the best interests of both Ljungberg and the national team and now I hope we will have a fresh and hungry Ljungberg in the Euro 2004 qualifiers instead," he said.