Charles Watts has revealed that Thomas Partey will play no part in Arsenal’s clash with Benfica tomorrow.
The Gunners have travelled to Athens for the second leg of that last-32 Europa League tie after last week’s 1-1 draw.
There was good news in the form of Partey after Mikel Arteta confirmed that he’d be making the trip with his Arsenal team-mates.
But after being out for a month, Watts, who covers the North Londoners for Goal.com, has claimed that he’s been told the earliest that fans can expect him back is the clash with Leicester City on Sunday.
He told his YouTube channel: “Thomas Partey it’s looking very unlikely that he’s going to be involved. I’m getting lots of questions. From what I’ve been told the earliest it’s going to be is Leicester at the weekend.”
Arsenal have to box smart with Partey, who earns £250,000 at the club.
This is his third injury since joining the Emirates Stadium side in October and it’s getting quite worrying now.
If Arteta’s side get past Benfica tomorrow, Arsenal are going to need a player like Partey in the last 16 and therefore it makes little sense to rush him back until he’s 150 percent ready, even if it means leaving him out of the Foxes game too.
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