Arsenal star Thomas Partey was back in action for his nation Ghana over the international break, but fears were sparked over his fitness once more
Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern for midfielder Thomas Partey during the international break, with uncertainty surrounding his fitness. The 30-year-old joins a list of potential doubts that has grown over the past week ahead of the side’s London derby clash with Chelsea.
The Gunners have been hit hard with injuries in the past month as Partey, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have all faced a spell on the sidelines. While there have been some returns, the latter three had to withdraw from their respective national team squads.
Trossard had a slight tweak that saw him assessed by Belgium’s medical staff, but he was cleared to return to Arsenal to recover over the two-week break. Similar happened for Saka, who missed the Gunners’ clash with Manchester City, with little known about the extent of his injury.
Saliba’s issue was an ongoing one with his big toe, something that had been causing him trouble for a few weeks but he had played through it. With all three hopeful of a speedy return, drastically decreasing the list of absentees, there were also wishes that there would be no injuries over the international break.
There are growing concerns over Partey though, who has only recently returned from a spell out, prompting Mikel Arteta to send a club physio with the midfielder on international duty. He was then given the nod to start in Ghana’s clash with Mexico, which they went on to lose 2-0.
Partey was unable to see through the whole game, having been named in the starting lineup but having to be replaced at half-time. It’s unclear at this stage as to whether it was a tactical decision from head coach Chris Hughton, looking to manage the workload, or if there are wider concerns.
It will no doubt spark some fear while this uncertainty remains around, given Partey’s importance when starting for the team in the past few years.
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