Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is expected to start on the bench tomorrow night against Everton, with the 29-year-old returning from injury over the weekend against Leicester City.
According to the Evening Standard, the Ghanaian international will remain among the substitutes tomorrow night with Jorginho expected to retain his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI against the Toffees, with Arsenal hopeful of getting revenge against Everton having lost to them last month.
Partey has been a key player for Arsenal this season and has formed part of a three-man midfield that has been instrumental to the Gunners’ Premier League title bid. However, Jorginho’s performance against Aston Villa and Leicester in place of the £50m African have been impressive.
The Italian international guided Arsenal to a comeback 4-2 win against Unai Emery’s Villa whilst also impressing massively in the midfielder against Leicester, and whilst Partey was expected to return to Arsenal’s starting XI against Everton, Arteta is seemingly keen to keep the former Atletico Madrid star as fresh as possible for Saturday.
With Arsenal winning their last two games, adding another two to their Premier League record will be huge in their unprecedented quest to win the English title, and keeping Partey as fit as possible will be massive in the long run for the north London side.
Indeed, the midfielder is arguably Arsenal’s most important player and the key to Arteta’s incredibly fluid and efficient system, and resting Partey for tonight against Everton could be a smart decision from the 40-year-old manager for the upcoming fixtures.
Partey getting another Arsenal rest vs. Everton is smart squad management
Jorginho’s performances against Villa and Leicester alone warrant the Italian another start in the league, and in terms of keeping the squad fully fit, resting Partey is a smart decision from Arteta, who will likely what the Ghanaian as fit as possible for Saturday’s clash against AFC Bournemouth.
With Arsenal now finding a system that works without Partey, as well, playing Jorginho for another match would be wise to help build up the Gunners’ plan B for when the former Atletico midfielder is inevitably out through injury again later on in the season.
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