Mikel Arteta says it’s great to have Thomas Partey back in contention after the Ghana international returned to training after a month sidelined by a thigh issue.
The midfielder has been included in the matchday squad for tomorrow’s clash with Lens and could play some part as he looks to get up to speed ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with Manchester City at the Emirates.
While the Gunners won five and drew one of the six games Partey missed, the 30-year-old’s return gives the manager more options at a busy time of the season.
Updating journalists by phone (transcript via Football.London) after Arsenal’s flight to France was delayed due to bad weather, the boss said: “He’s progressed really well in the last two weeks and he managed to train in the last two or three days with the team and that’s great news for us obviously
“I think his progression in the last week has been very good. He might have some exposure tomorrow depending how the game goes.
He added: “He’s a big player and we know what he brings to the team. He knows exactly what we need and with the injuries we had to other players in midfield and at the back he complements us in a great way and gives us options. So it’s great to have him back again.”
Arteta also revealed that Bukayo Saka had recovered from the knock he suffered at Bournemouth on Sunday.
“He’s fine. He’s much better. It was a big knock but he has recovered well and trained with us today.”
With the team still stuck on the tarmac at Luton, the club have taken the decision to cancel the planned press conference. Hopefully, they get moving soon.
It’s so crazy that we are currently without Martinelli, Partey and Timber. Plus we’ve had Trossard and Gabby Jesus out too.
But no one is really talking about injuries.
I wasn’t convinced we had true depth going into the season. Havertz felt like-for-like. And Timber felt like he was likely replacing the perennially injured Tomiyasu.
But this squad is deep and it’s deep with serious quality. I can’t remember the last time I could say that about an Arsenal squad.
Gracias Mikel.
Is that Cedric somehow in the photo?
He used to be the best midfielder in the PL and still is as per Zinchenko. I tend to agree. Partey at full flow was simply majestic! you could see opponents not even trying to get close to him since it was pointless to try tackle him. One wonders if It’s his off-field issues that might have affected his performance in addition to his inability to stay fit.
Replied to wrong post. I meant Partey. Nor Cedric!
Kiwior I think
May we finally see the Partey, Rice, Ødegaard midfield?
Give me fully fit Partey & Rice, I wouldn’t envy any other midfield partnership in the world. Doubt Arteta have the balls to drop Harvetz though. One thing I’m certain is that if he dares to drop Gabriel to play Partey at right back again, I will stop watching us, period.
We need him against a Rodri-less City.
Good stuff.
Don’t play him as RB though
Partey has arguably been one of squads 3 best and most important players over the last couple of seasons. I say best as well as most important because they are not always the same thing, but in Partey’s case they are. World class reading of the game. Arguably the best player in the squad at transitioning from defense to attack, with cutting vertical passes that split the lines. In a way I’m sad that he no longer fits so perfectly into the midfield after the Rice and Havertz signings. If Arteta can manage to get Rice and Partey to coexist… Read more »
We’ve done alright without him, now let’s hope he stays fit, so he can be rotated with Rice
I think they could play together. Both are strong with good positional sense. They could operate like Vieira and Petit with one going forward while the other sits back, in turns.
Squad looking good. 2-3 young players on the cusp of breaking out. Zero mistakes with Raya. Team is solid. C O Y G ⚽️
After these messages, he’ll be riiiiight back.
+1 saturday morning kickoff
Don’t get used to it. He’ll be back on the treatment table in 3 weeks tops. Great player when fit. Not fit very often.
5 less appearances than Saka last season, I don’t think he’s as bad as it’s made out.
If you carry on like this no princess is picking you out of the pond anytime soon
No need to risk him this game
You also want some minutes in his legs before man city so on the other hand this is the perfect time to do that.
Saka might have the constitution of a horse! Great power of recovery. Rarely misses a match due to injury.
I hope we don’t have to shoot him if he does get injured, then!
I really don’t hope he goes back as a right back. Our back four is solid. White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinny should play. Partey should play in midfield with Ødegaard and Rice, or as a substitue for Rice.
is that ray parlour?
🤣 I thought exactly the same. A Romford Pele clone. I’ll take it!
No Paul Scholes with a wig. He is undercover to get Intel for Tenhag.
Paul Dano I think
hahahaha – exactly!
it will be insane if Arteta benches Gab and slot Partey at Rb. It wont make any sense and i strongly doubt Arteta will do that. In arteta defense,let me say he played Partey at RB because Zinchenko wasnt fit at the start of the season as Arteta likes having that extra man in the midfield, that most of us call inverted role…
Unfortunately Timber is out. I believe he was going to have a great season. well, when he is back it will look like a new signing in Wengers voice….Oh yeah
A fit Partey can anchor the midfield with any two of ESR, F. Vieira, Kai or Jorginho and help keep the squad fresh. Captain and Rice need to be rested. Hopefully 3 wins out of first 3 CL games will let us breathe a little. I don’t see Mikel not starting Rice, Ode and Saka in the Premier League.