Due to a setback in his injury rehabilitation, Thomas Partey will not be ready for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Due to a hamstring injury he suffered during practice, the 30-year-old made his last appearance for the Gunners all the way back on October 8 against Manchester City. He then went back to his usual bed in the treatment room.
Although there was first hope that Partey, who has only appeared in five games for Arteta’s this season, would be back to full strength in January, he had surgery and was declared out for the rest of the year.
The former Atletico Madrid player, however, was not included in Ghana’s team for the Africa Cup of Nations and failed to make a winter return. At the time, manager Chris Hughton said that the injury was the most serious of the player’s career.
Partey was seen fully training with the Gunners before their 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, after three months of recuperation; nevertheless, he was not deemed ready for the match at the City Ground.
In response to a question about Partey’s availability for Friday’s match against Liverpool, Arteta broke the bad news that the midfield player had experienced recent issues and that it was unclear how long his latest injury would keep him out of the game.
“We regrettably had a little setback with Thomas a few days ago. He will not be able to join the team. We’ll check to see whether it takes a few days or weeks. But he had a little issue,” Arteta is quoted as saying by football in London.
In response to questions about the specifics of Partey’s recent blow, Arteta said, “I’m not a doctor, but he felt something in a very similar area, and he wasn’t able to train the last few days.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu (international), Jurrien Timber (ACL), and Fabio Vieira (groin) are the other three players who are certain to miss this weekend’s game for Arsenal. Partey has struggled with injuries ever since joining Atletico in 2020.
After a scare with his knee, Gabriel Jesus trained regularly all week, according to Arteta, while Mohamed Elneny may also make a domestic return after Egypt’s loss to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Spaniard was questioned about the altercation between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko at the conclusion of Tuesday’s victory against Forest, which he said he “loved” at the moment. On Friday, he reiterated his position with a comic response.
“Yes… They’ve been living together in the same home for the last several days, sharing wives and everything! Now that they are living together, it’s okay. Arteta said, “They’re great friends.
“If your relationship isn’t fantastic, you don’t dispute with people. That occurs because you and that person have the chemistry and trust necessary for that kind of reaction. I’m delighted as long as it’s done respectfully and with the goal of becoming more demanding as a team, and it remains there.”
The Premier League standings have Arsenal two spots and five points behind leaders Liverpool going into Sunday’s exciting match at the Emirates, which takes place only a few weeks after the Reds won 2-0 in the FA Cup third round.
Darwin Nunez’s foot injury suffered during Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea has raised serious concerns about the team’s health ahead of the journey south for Jurgen Klopp.
