Arsenal take desperate measures to keep Thomas Partey fit on international duty
In an effort to maintain the fitness of midfielder Thomas Partey, Arsenal has dispatched their own top performance physiotherapist to accompany him while he joins the Ghana squad.
Partey has been absent from 37 games due to injuries since his transfer from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal in October 2020.
His absences have been greatly felt, and Mikel Arteta is keen on keeping him fit for the remaining 10 games, as Arsenal leads the Premier League table with an eight-point margin over Manchester City.
Despite his crucial role in the team’s success, Arteta will have to anxiously monitor Partey’s condition while he participates in international duties.
As their vice-captain, Partey was unsurprisingly called up to the Ghana squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Black Stars host Angola on Friday before the reverse fixture on Monday.
Partey is likely to feature in both games for Chris Hughton’s side, who sit top of their qualification group. In a bid to ensure he does not get injured while away with the Black Stars, Arsenal have decided to take extra precautions.
They have sent lead performance physio Simon Murphy to Ghana to provide added medical services.
Partey was injured earlier this season for two of Arsenal’s three defeats in the Premier League, highlights his importance to Arteta’s men.
However, he is a crucial player for the Black Stars and Hughton is not expected to be intimidated by Murphy’s participation. Despite this, the coach of Ghana has acknowledged the significance of Partey to the Arsenal team.
“Thomas Partey’s roles for both club and country are different from each other but key. His role in the team is as a continuity player. He is not the type of player to expect to dribble past multiple players,” Hughton said.
“His role is important to what the team does even if he doesn’t always stand out. Sometimes as football fan we assume a player must necessarily fit the frame we have of him in an A team or in a B team.
“We want to see a winning team. Ultimately what we all want to see is winning football matches, and that starts with correct preparation, using players to their best of their ability and picking the type of players we have.
“There will be a lot of questions. Are you offensive or defensive. Correct preparation of the teams. Use the players to the best of their abilities. We start on the same level. Put together a group of players to play as a team and win matches.”
With a demanding schedule of games ahead after the international break, Arteta will be hoping that Partey remains injury-free. Arsenal will face Leeds in their next Premier League fixture, followed by a trip to Liverpool just one week later.
Arsenal take desperate measures to keep Thomas Partey fit on international duty
