Ghana’s midfielder Thomas Partey was left out of his team’s 1-1 draw against Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to a small injury problem, according to his manager Chris Hughton.
Partey, who has been struggling with fitness issues, joined the Black Stars during the international break to aid his recovery.
The player has been a vital part of Arsenal’s success this season, though he has missed 37 games due to injury since he joined the club in October 2020.
However, he has already missed five matches this season due to injuries, and with just ten games remaining, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping to keep him fit for the rest of the season.
Impact of Partey’s Injury Status
Ghana’s midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury during Ghana’s draw with Angola has left Arsenal worried, confirmed Chris Hughton, the Ghana manager.
Partey had played all 90 minutes of Ghana’s victory against Angola last Thursday but did not play in the team’s latest encounter due to a knock.
Partey traveled to Ghana with Arsenal’s leading performance physio to ensure that he remained in good condition. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t work out as he had to be dropped to the bench for the second match against Angola.
Hughton revealed they felt it was too risky to start him due to his small injury issues.
Although there’s no clarity on the extent of the injury, some fans fear that it could be significant as Partey didn’t even enter the match as a substitute.
Other Injured Players
Arsenal has already faced injuries to all of their main players this season and managed to stay competitive, but the pressure will ramp up for the remaining games, and any further injuries could be a cause for concern.
So far, the Gunners have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery, and William Saliba’s fitness is yet to be confirmed after he suffered a back injury.
Eddie Nketiah is also out with an ankle injury until after the international break, while Mohamed Elneny has been out with a knee issue since last month, although no timescale has been given on his expected return.
The good news for Arsenal is that Bukayo Saka has returned from international duty without any knocks. Fans will be hoping that the Gunners can overcome their injury concerns and secure a win against Leeds United this weekend.
Aside from these players though, the team is also missing many senior midfielders due to injuries and international call-ups. Despite the challenges, the players are focused on staying fit and coming back strong when the league play resumes.
Arsenal’s Status
With Arsenal currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, any minor injury could be detrimental to their title hopes. However, former Gunners star Ian Wright is hopeful that Arteta has enough depth to cope with any potential injury to key players.
Despite the setback, the Gunners’ supporters are also optimistic about the team’s chances of winning the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
