Arsenal optimistic Thomas Partey ‘should be alright for Leeds United clash after new injury scare
Arsenal are optimistic Thomas Partey will be ready to face Leeds United on Saturday after experiencing a new injury scare.
The 29-year-old played the entire 90 minutes for Ghana against Angola on Thursday and came through the encounter unscathed.
Partey went to his motherland with Arsenal physio Simon Murphy in an effort to watch the important midfielder’s health given his mixed record over the course of his Arsenal tenure.
Mikel Arteta would no doubt have been worried by pictures that surfaced on Monday, however, which saw Partey’s right leg severely strapped with two physios ministering to him.
The former Atletico Madrid player consequently missed Ghana’s reverse match against Angola last night and will travel back to London for tests today.
According to Goal, Partey has not experienced a reoccurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out of four games earlier this season and is set to be in position to play against Leeds this weekend.
Whether Arteta risks one of his most important players remains to be seen, however, with an intimidating journey to Liverpool and Anfield on the horizon a week later.
Should the Arsenal boss decide for a safety first strategy, experienced Italy international Jorginho would fill in as he did against Aston Villa and Manchester City last month.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are continuing to keep eyes on West Ham skipper Declan Rice who has been designated as their No.1 summer target.
And Former Gunners star Jack Wilshere thinks his former Hammers’ colleague would be best served by going to Arsenal where he could flourish under Arteta’s managment.
He said: ‘He’s a playmaker who can do anything. If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I believe he would be very effective under Mikel’s supervision.
‘Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be huge for the squad as well. I have had talks with Dec and told him what he is doing is unbelievable, he is captain of a major Premier League team and is always learning.
‘You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his destiny is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s taking up more and more, he’s developing into this guy who could play anywhere.
‘I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive acquisition and a great fit.’
