Arsenal physio travels to Ghana with Thomas Partey as Mikel Arteta looks to avoid injury to star
Arsenal has taken extra precautions to ensure that influential midfielder Thomas Partey does not sustain an injury while on international duty with Ghana.
The 29-year-old has been in superb form this season and is a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s never-say-die winning machine.
Partey’s Arsenal career has been plagued by fitness problems, and his absence against both Manchester clubs earlier this season coincided with two of the Gunners’ three Premier League losses this season.
The former Atletico Madrid star also missed Arsenal’s final nine games of last season, when they ran out of steam and finished fourth behind north London rivals Tottenham.
With that in mind, Arsenal cannot afford to be without Partey for the next ten games, which will determine whether or not they can hold off Manchester City and win their first Premier League title in 19 years.
Ghana will play back-to-back games against Angola in the coming week, and in order to monitor Partey’s fitness, club physio Simon Murphy has been dispatched to Africa.
Ghana, now managed by ex-Norwich City and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, is aware of Partey’s importance to Arsenal but is unlikely to be swayed by Murphy’s presence in his squad.
Hughton explained Partey’s role in his system, saying, “Partey’s role in the team is as a continuity player, he is not that guy who is going to dribble past multiple players.” Even if he doesn’t always stand out, his contribution to the team is critical.
‘As football fans, we sometimes assume that a player must necessarily fit the frame we have of him in an A team or a B team. Partey’s roles at club and country are distinct, but equally important.’
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu for the rest of the season after the Japanese international had knee surgery earlier this week.
‘Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee,’ said the club.
‘Tomi had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be out for the rest of the season,’ the club said.
‘Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi to get him ready for pre-season training next season.’
