Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has apologised for his red card that will see him missing this weekend’s clash against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.
The Ghanaian, who darted back from the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday to make the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg for the Gunners, was giving his marching orders following two yellow cards in the final three minutes of the match.
Partey only landed back in London earlier in the afternoon following Ghana’s early exit at AFCON but he was determined to help his side reach Wembley, where Chelsea awaited the winners of last night’s tie.
After initially starting the match on the bench, Partey entered the fray in the second half but his commitment to the cause backfired when a late lunge on Fabinho saw him dismissed.
The powerhouse midfielder has since taken to Instagram to apologise to Arsenal supporters, explaining the thinking behind his unexpected cameo at the Emirates Stadium.
He wrote: “Am responsible for anything that happened and will take all the critiques, I should get more intelligent not to get in a challenge already booked but this is my personality, I like to fight for every ball.
“I love this club and love my country even though things don’t happen how I wanted, I would continue to work harder and make things right.
“I came back with the mentality to make myself available for the team to get to the final but it did not happen as planned.
“I will continue to give my all when am on the field of play because this is my life and this is what I chose to do.
“Am not happy with all that happened yesterday at the AFCON but I understand only with hard work things will continue to work hard to change this. Thanks.”
Arsenal are already light on the ground in midfield with Granit Xhaka suspended, Mohamed Elneny still away at AFCON and Ainsley Maitland-Niles away on loan at Roma.
That’s why Arteta and Arsenal supporters could be forgiven for any frustration shown towards Partey’s red card.
It was the 14th the Gunners have received since the appointment of Arteta back in December 2019.
Since then, no team has had more. The next highest is Southampton with eight.