Charles Watts has shared that he expects Thomas Partey to return from injury for Arsenal on October 21 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Arsenal-based journalist shared that Thomas Partey’s muscle injury, which is the ‘groin/thigh’ area, will keep him out of action until after the next international break.
There is the possibility that the 30-year-old, who is a key member of Mikel Arteta’s first-team, could return for the showdown against Manchester City on October 8, but that would be a risk, as he told Inside Arsenal.
This time last season, Arsenal fans would have been pretty worried if Partey was out of action for such a period of time, in fact, they did experience it post-January.
But with summer signing Declan Rice now in the building, he has made such an impact that it does soften the blow a little – Kevin Campbell says Rice has only played at ‘65%’ of his talent so far.
The only massive drawback to all of this is that, more than likely, for the second season running, Partey will miss Arsenal’s home clash against Manchester City, which, as of this moment, is their most important fixture of the season.
Thomas Partey’s injury update
“Thomas Partey missed that game at the weekend with that injury he picked up in training, just before the Manchester United game,” said Watts.
“A muscle injury. At the top of his leg, kind of groin/thigh. I haven’t had it nailed down exactly what the issue is.
“But I have been told that six weeks is the sort of timeframe that Arsenal and Thomas Partey, and his people, are looking towards.
“There is a second international game coming, which is after the Manchester City game, which is October 8. Arsenal then return to action on October 21 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. I think that’s probably the game, at the moment, everyone is looking for Partey to target, so between now and then, Arsenal have seven games in all competitions.”
Arsenal can’t afford more injuries
The likes of Partey, Alex Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus have had their issues with constantly visiting the treatment room.
But with Arsenal in the Champions League this season, then they can’t afford to lose such players, or else, it will hurt them badly.
As of this moment, they could probably get by, but with Partey joining Jurrien Timber on the sidelines, then that is already enough of a blow.
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