Charles Watts has revealed that Thomas Partey is set for a long spell on the sidelines after aggrevating an injury he picked up in Arsenal’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Ghanaian was originally out with a thigh injury picked up in the loss to Aston Villa, however, weas rushed back into competitive action ahead of the north London derby.
And now it’s emerged that the Ghana international could be spending a fair while on the sidelines, according to Goal’s Arsenal correspondent.
Watts said: “Thomas Partey now looks like he’s going to be out for a fair while yet, we still don’t know exactly the extent of how he’s aggravated his injury; it’s the same problem.”
“I spoke to people fairly close to Thomas Partey earlier this morning, and they said they’re genuinely worried about the injury, he’s desperate to help the team, he’s devastated to be injured again and that he’d fought back really hard to get back in the side for the Spurs game, and then for it to happen again, he’s devastated.” (via Charles Watts)
Was Arteta wrong to risk Partey in Sunday's north London derby?
Yes
No
Rushing back the player for a game which was a tough ask even with him in the side is looking like a horrible decision now. Arsenal entered the game against Spurs with next to no hope having won none of their previous three Premier League games. With or without the midfielder, I was fairly certain the outfit would come undone against deadly duo Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son given how badly Mikel Arteta has set up the team so far this season.
With games against Southampton, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City on the way, Watts’ news concerning Partey is growing ever-more concerning. Up until now, he’s been the side’s best option in the centre of the park, encapsulated by his performance away to Manchester United. With him out, there is no strong, imposing defensive midfielders available in the squad with Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos and Mohamed Elneny proving weak and feeble, especially in the defensive side of the game.
It’s just another poor decision from the former Manchester City coach in what is proving to be a dreadful campaign for the Spaniard. Starting XI and a change of tactics in the derby are also high on the list of screw-ups from Arteta, but, there still remains time in the campaign to change the club’s fortunes.
