Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Thomas Partey will not play against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has also noted how important Partey is for Arsenal and he is different.
So, what has Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said about Thomas Partey? Let’s take a look.
Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey
Well, Arsenal will lock horns with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League on Sunday.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are aiming to win the league title this season. The match promises to be exciting and entertaining.
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has backed the Gunners to win, while Dimitar Berbatov thinks that it will end in a draw.
One Arsenal player who will not play in the match is Thomas Partey. Manager Mikel Arteta has said that the £45 million (Sky Sports) defensive midfielder is still injured and has noted that he is unique.
Arteta told Arsenal’s official website about Partey: “With Thomas, unfortunately, we had a little setback a few days ago, so he’s not going to be available to be in the squad. Whether that’s a matter of days or weeks, we’ll see but he had a little thing.”
The Arsenal boss added: “It’s a big concern because he’s such an important player for us and he was getting some momentum at the start of the season and then we lost him for a while.
“Now it’s been a long time without him and he gives us something very different that no other player can give us in the squad. He’s been a real miss.”
Arsenal may have to sell Thomas Partey in 2024 summer
In my opinion, Arsenal will have to seriously consider selling Thomas Partey at the end of the season.
Partey is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2025. So, the North London club’s best chance of getting a decent transfer fee would be in the summer of 2024.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder has had injury concerns this season, and while Arteta rates him highly, Arsenal are doing well without him.
Moreover, Arteta also used Partey at right-back this season despite the Ghana international being a defensive midfielder by trade.
Partey has made three starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season.
The defensive midfielder has made 85 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. He has scored five goals and given three assists in those games.