Before Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United just before the international break, the 30-year-old had a groin injury. Arteta had hoped for a quick return for the midfielder.
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At his pre-game press conference on Friday, the Spanish manager did, however, state that Partey is still a few weeks away from being able to make the team.
The Ghanaian international is reportedly facing another four weeks on the sidelines, which would put his return in mid-October, following the international break. He will miss Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park.
Friday, Arteta said:
“He’s still a few weeks away.
“He’s got a muscle injury and he’s progressing well but he’s still a few weeks away,” the Spaniard said via Arsenal.com.
Along with the match against Everton on Sunday, Partey is also scheduled to miss Arsenal’s meetings against PSV and Lens in the Champions League, as well as games against Tottenham, Bournemouth, and Manchester City in the Premier League and Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Since going from Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium in October 2020, Partey has been constrained by ailments. The Ghanaian has appeared in 188 matches in all competitions, registered 12 assists in addition to 16 goals, and has helped the Gunners qualify for the Champions League for the first time in several seasons.
Having injuries is bad luck
Last season, when the North Londoners finished second in the league standings, he was one of the team’s top performers as they narrowly missed capturing the Premier League championship. In 40 appearances in all competitions, the midfielder scored three goals.
Partey has played four times for Mikel Arteta’s team, which has collected 10 out of a possible 12 points to remain unbeaten in the top division. By defeating Manchester City on penalties following a 1-1 tie, he assisted Arsenal in securing the Community Shield.
This season has shown that Partey is adaptable and capable of filling a variety of roles, including defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and inverted right-back.
Partey was put into the unfamiliar right-back position by Arteta after Declan Rice, a summer acquisition from West Ham, arrived. This season, Rice, Martin Degaard, and Kai Havertz are the midfield trio that the former Man City assistant manager favors.
