Thomas Partey has been ruled out of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United, with the 30-year-old set to be spend several weeks on the sidelines.
Partey has emerged as boss Mikel Arteta’s first-choice right-back this season, as the Spaniard experiments with a new-look defensive line. But he will now be forced into a rethink for Sunday’s visit of United, which is Arsenal’s biggest game of the season so far.
The situation came to light on Saturday as the Ghana FA announced their senior squad for the upcoming international break. Partey was not included in that group of players, with the Black Stars confirming he had been ruled out through injury.
“Arsenal ace Thomas Partey is left out of the squad due to injury. According to his club, the player picked up an injury in training and could be on the sidelines for a while, however the Black Stars medical teams is monitoring the situation,” a statement read.
Ghana team doctor Prince Pambo revealed the injury is a groin problem suffered in training. He said: “He sustained a groin injury during training on Thursday, August 31, 2023. He is currently unavailable as Club Doctors predict he’s likely to be out for a couple of weeks.”
Partey’s injury is a massive blow to Arteta, who had appeared keen to pursue his new defensive tactics, with the Ghanian operating at right-back. That role saw him also cut into midfield, though it has had mixed results.
Now though, he will be forced to return to his line-up of last season, with Gabriel Magalhaes in line for his first start of the season. The Brazilian should feature alongside William Saliba in central defence, with Ben White shifted to right-back.
While Arsenal have looked far from their best in their opening three games, Arteta has been pleased with his squad. While he kept his cards close to his chest with regards to Partey’s injury, the Gunners boss hinted he is reluctant to change his team.
“I said against Fulham, and I have watched the game twice, then we played ten times better, six or ten, but we definitely played much better, but it’s all about results. One thing is to play really well,” he said on Friday.
“The other thing is to compete really well and what we didn’t do when we had to compete in certain moments, is the best possible way to do that. We played ten times better, I reaffirm that to you again.