Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury is one to worry about as he is set to be sidelined for some weeks.
The midfielder’s injury was reported by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Saturday as Chris Hughton announced his 25-man squad for Ghana’s final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central Africa Republic.
The 30-year-old’s condition was re-affirmed by the Spanish boss before their crucial encounter with Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday in the Premier League.
“It doesn’t look good. We need a few more tests but he felt something in training and I think he will be out for a couple of weeks,” Arteta said.
“He had the capacity to play in various positions and today was a game for him to play in a different position but he is not available.”
Despite Partey’s absence, the Gunners managed to beat the Red Devils 3-1 thanks to a controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention denying Manchester United a goal which followed two quick strikes from Arsenal in the dying minutes of the exhilarating encounter.
The Black Stars, on the other hand, will have to rely on the return of Baba Iddrisu, Ilisha Owusu, and the availability of Salis Abdul Samed among others in Partey’s absence as they aim for a successful outcome that can take them to the next AFCON, which will be hosted in Ivory Coast next year.