EPL: Arsenal loses Thomas Partey to injury

Arsenal have lost Thomas Partey to injury on the eve of their huge Premier League clash against Manchester United.

The midfielder has played a right-back in all three of the Gunners’ Premier League games so far, as they made an unbeaten start to the season, with Gabriel Magalhaes being left on the bench to the surprise of many.

Ghana’s national team confirmed rumours of Thomas Partey picking up an injury that will sideline him for three months, during a training with the Gunners.

The statement read;

“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.”

Partey’s absence will be a huge disappointment to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. The midfielder’s redeployment as a hybrid right-back is crucial to Arteta’s new playing system.

Arsenal had already lost summer signing Jurrien Timber to a serious knee injury he suffered in their opening game of the season.

Arteta could now turn to Gabriel for the visit of United on Sunday, playing him at centre-back alongside William Saliba like much of last season with Ben White moving to right-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Partey during the second half of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, so is another option for Arteta.

Partey has proven to be essential for Arsenal ever since his £45 million arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2020. The midfielder has since amassed a total of 103 appearances for the Gunners.

The 30-year-old was especially important for the North Londoners last season with three goals in 40 matches across all competitions.

The Ghana international helped Arsenal come close to winning their first Premier League title since the 2004 Invincibles campaign.