Martin O’Neill admitted that Roy Keane’s altercation with Harry After may have been a factor in the Cardiff midfielder's absence from the Republic of Ireland squad for Thursday’s Nations League encounter with Wales.
However, the manager believes that Arter’s decision is more to do with the player concentrating on his club career, having moved from Bournemouth to the Bluebirds during the close season across the water.
Ireland face Wales in their inaugural Nations League fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium, which, as it happens, is where Arter plays his club football.
The former Bournemouth man, who was initially named in O'Neill's provisional squad for this week's clash, was instrumental in Ireland’s last outing at the same venue, when Ireland beat their hosts 1-0 in a vital World Cup qualifier last October.
Arter played the full ninety minutes for his club side on Sunday as Cardiff were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal.
"Harry is not coming. He is concentrating on his club football at the minute," said O’Neill, speaking to the media following training at the FAI headquarters in Abbotstown,
"He wants to get back on track with his club. His club appearances have been few and far between just recently for [several] months.
"His club career stalled somewhat and he wants to concentrate. He told me that last week."
O’Neill made no excuses when asked whether Arter’s well-publicised disagreement with assistant manager Roy Keane may have contributed to the player’s decision to make himself unavailable for this week’s game.
"That may be part of the reason, it could well be. If that's the case, he's got a number of things to consider.
"He's got a fresh start with Cardiff now. Bournemouth were happy enough to let him go out on loan and it's a start for him again, so there are a number reasons.
"I wouldn't deny that that would be one of them."
And the manager emphasised that the door had certainly not closed on Arter’s international career with Ireland, stating that there is every chance that he could come back into the squad.
"I don't see why not. I think he has to clear his mind.
"He's a very decent footballer. He had signed a long-term deal at Bournemouth. It looked like things were going to happen. I think he signed a four-year deal last year.
"So it looked like things were working out there. He was extremely well thought of. But obviously, things have stalled for whatever reason at club level. He wants to get that going again.
"And as I said, if he clears his mind and all the issues have been resolved, I don't see why not."
Injuries have ruled out James McCarthy (leg), Robbie Brady (ankle), Scott Hogan (groin), Sean Maguire (hamstring) and Shane Long (foot), while Kieran O'Hara will link up with the Under-21s for two crucial qualifiers against Kosovo and Germany.
Both goalkeeper Sean McDermott and forward Callum Robinson remain part of the squad after receiving their first senior call-ups when the provisional panel was announced last week.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Hearts), Sean McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), John Egan, Enda Stevens (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Brentford), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Shaun Williams (Millwall), David Meyler (Reading), Daryl Horgan (Hibernian), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City)
Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Ipswich Town*), Graham Burke, Callum Robinson (Preston North End), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall)
*Indicates player is on loan
