Mikel Arteta is taking no risks with any of his players over the international break (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have struck an agreement with the Ghana Football Association which will see Thomas Partey remain in north London over the course of the international break.
The experienced midfielder appeared destined to leave the club in the summer after his form deteriorated alarmingly towards the end of last season.
Partey’s nous and versatility, however, have proved important over the course of the last two months and helped Arsenal to make a superb start to the new campaign.
An injury to new recruit Mikel Merino placed extra responsibility on the shoulders of Partey who has risen to the challenge and helped the Gunners maintain their unbeaten record both domestically and in Europe.
In the absences of Jurrien Timber and Ben White, Partey even featured as a makeshift right-back against Southampton last weekend, underlining his value to his manager.
Given the numerous injuries he has suffered from ever since joining Arsenal from Atletico Madrid four years ago, Partey’s apparent new found durability has represented something of a pleasant bonus.
As well as being a virtual ever-present for his club so far this term, Partey also played the full 90 minutes in both of Ghana’s games last month.
Thomas Partey featured as a makeshift right-back against Southampton (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey
on how pleasing it is to see Thomas Partey settled in the team:
He’s a massive player for us and he’s shown that week in, week out. He’s started the season really well, really fit. The way he came back post-holiday was probably in the best condition that he’s been, which was really helpful as well. Now he needs to continue to do that. We have managed certain minutes with him in the right way and the team is doing that, and then he’s doing everything he can as well to be in the best physical condition.
on if he’s back to his best now:
It’s about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits and you want more consistency, things don’t happen overnight. If in two or three weeks it doesn’t happen and you throw in the towel, you’re going to waste the next two or three years of your career. He’s doing everything he can to be in that. I think his work ethic has been better than ever, defensively he’s been really solid and with the ball he had moments. They probably were his most complete performances because he gave us everything that we want from him and he can deliver that.
The Black Stars are in action over the next fortnight against Sudan, who they are scheduled to play both home and away, but Partey has been given a leave of absence.
Instead of joining up with his national team, Partey will remain at London Colney, in part due to the fact he has been suffering with illness over the last couple of days.
Kai Havertz will also miss international duty as the in-form striker is currently nursing a minor knee injury, while skipper Martin Odegaard will also work on his rehabilitation as he aims to make a comeback from the ankle injury he sustained last month in the coming weeks.
‘In the last week or so I’ve made really good progress,’ he confirmd ahead of last Saturday’s 3-1 in over the Saints. ‘I’m getting better and better by the day and feel it’s going well.
‘When you feel like things are moving forward, it gives you motivation to do more and more and work harder.
Today is our last game before another international break, so that gives me some more time to work on the rehab, too. Hopefully it won’t be much longer — I think we will know more as soon as I get out on the training pitches and we see how my ankle responds to that.
‘At the moment it’s progressing well and it looks better than we were thinking, but we’ve still got to take every day as it comes.
‘Anyway, it looks as though the team don’t really need me at the moment! We have been playing so well lately & got another good result on Tuesday against PSG.’
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