Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to be out of action for six weeks after sustaining an injury in training, Sportivationng.com reports.
According to the Dailymail, The Ghana international pulled up on Thursday and has undergone a series of tests to determine the extent of the damage, which has been pinpointed as a combination of a groin and thigh injury.
Head coach Mikel Arteta has not publicly put a timescale on Partey’s recovery but it is understood club medics expect Partey to miss at least six weeks, although given the player’s history with thigh problems the club will take a cautious approach to his rehabilitation which could extend his unavailability.
That means Partey is set to miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Everton, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Manchester City; as well as the club’s return to Champions League action in fixtures against PSV Eindhoven and Lens.
The news comes as a major blow to Arteta given Partey’s importance to his team.
The former Atletico Madrid star has been deployed in a new inverted right back role so far this season, but he was being considered for a return to central midfield in Sunday’s win over Manchester United before suffering the injury.
That fact Arsenal decided against entering the transfer market to replace Partey, given he sustained the problem more than 24 hours before the transfer deadline, is an indication that the Gunners are confident of having the 30-year-old available in October.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that the injury doesn’t look good after the 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“Unfortunately he got an injury in training and it doesn’t look good, we need some more tests, we believe he’s going to be out for weeks. We think it’s a groin but can be something in between.”
In his absence, Arteta will look to Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny to fill Partey’s void with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard virtually guaranteed starters.
