Manchester United Host, Arsenal Lost Thomas Partey

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey had to miss out on his team hosting Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, London on Sunday night September 3, 2023. (The Sun)

JAKARTA Ahead of the match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night, September 3, 2023, Arsenal received bad news. Their versatile midfielder, Thomas Partey, was ruled out due to a groin injury. This bad news appeared less than 24 hours before the Premier League's big match was held.

The 30-year-old has remained a regular Mikel Arteta since the 2023-2024 season began, despite rumors of interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabian clubs.

Partey has started all three Arsenal games in the English Premier League as a right-back, although he only lasted 56 minutes in a 2-2 draw last weekend at home to Fulham. However, the midfielder's replacement by Oleksandr Zinchenko was tactical, and he was seen fully training with his teammates earlier this week.

Arteta also did not report concerns over his injury to Partey during Friday's pre-match press conference, but he is a player absent from the Ghana squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with the Central African Republic.

A statement from the Ghanaian FA confirmed that Partey had problems in training, which Arsenal conveyed to them, although the Gunners had not yet officially provided the latest news.

Arsenal's mainstay, Thomas Partey was not included in the squad due to injury. According to his club, the player suffered an injury during training and may have to be sidelined for a while, but the Black Stars medical team is monitoring the situation, "said an official statement from the Ghanaian FA.

Rumors are starting to circulate on social media that Partey may be out for several months, but in further developments, Ghana's team doctor Prince Pambo stated that the former Atletico Madrid player would only be out for a few weeks.

"He suffered a groin injury during training on Thursday (31/8). He is currently unable to play because the club doctor predicts he is likely to be out for several weeks," said Pambo.

With the 30-year-old's absence, Ben White is the most likely candidate to return to the right-back position, as Jurrien Timber has to be out of action due to an ACL injury.

Mikel Arteta can also hope for Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who has returned from a one-match ban. On the other hand, the absence of Thomas Partey made Arsenal's midfield return to hope for the trio of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.