Arsenal 'handed major Thomas Partey injury boost'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 28 January 2023

Arsenal are reportedly optimistic that Thomas Partey did not suffer a serious rib injury during Friday's FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal are reportedly confident that midfielder Thomas Partey did not suffer a serious injury in Friday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

The Ghana international was withdrawn at half time due to a rib problem, which he was seen receiving treatment for during the first half at the Etihad Stadium.

Albert Sambi Lokonga came on to replace Partey, as Arsenal exited the competition in the fourth round courtesy of a second-half Nathan Ake goal in a 1-0 loss.

Following the final whistle, concern immediately turned to Partey, who struggled with various injuries during his first two seasons in an Arsenal shirt.

The 29-year-old has managed to stay fit and become an integral member of Mikel Arteta's first XI this season, but the Gunners boss admitted that he would need to undergo scans to determine the severity of the problem.

Thomas Partey warms up for Arsenal in August 2022 © Reuters

"He felt something and we didn't want to take any risks, so he could not continue. He had some discomfort and it was getting worse and worse, so he could not continue," Arteta told reporters.

"He wasn't comfortable to continue. Obviously tomorrow, the day after he will have to have an MRI scan and see what he has."

However, The Sun reports that the results from the scans have been reassuring, and Partey could even be back for next weekend's Premier League trip to Everton.

The report states that Arsenal are confident that Partey will be in the starting XI for the showdown at Goodison Park, as the Gunners endeavour to build on their best-ever haul of 50 points from 19 matches, which has left them five points clear of Man City at the top of the table.

The former Atletico Madrid man has chipped in with two goals from 21 appearances in the 2021-22 season, scoring a pair of long-range stunners against Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz in action with Arsenal's Thomas Partey on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

Partey now has four goals and four assists from 80 games in an Arsenal jersey since arriving in 2020, but Arsenal are still thin on the ground in midfield approaching Tuesday's January transfer deadline.

Mohamed Elneny could apparently miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, leaving Arteta with just three fit senior midfielders in Partey, Lokonga and Granit Xhaka.

Prior to Partey's injury scare, Arsenal reportedly failed with a £60m bid for Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, who has since publicly revealed his desire to leave the Seagulls.

Caicedo is understood to have been told to stay away from training following his bombshell announcement, but Brighton are adamant that the Ecuador international will not be leaving in January.

Arsenal have already signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton this month, as well as bringing in Polish centre-back Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.