Journalist Sam Dean has hinted that perhaps Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been playing with an injury for the past couple of weeks.
The £45 million (BBC Sport) man has been atrocious since gifting Declan Rice the ball for Lucas Paqueta’s eventual goal from 12 yards out in his side’s 2-2 draw against West Ham United.
With Arsenal looking likely to miss out on their first Premier League title since 2004, a mystery injury seems to have been plaguing Thomas Partey.
What was said about the unknown Thomas Partey injury
Aside from Partey’s avoidable mistake against the Irons, he was shocking against the likes of Southampton and Manchester City as well.
The former Atletico Madrid anchor has largely had a brilliant season, with him being put in the conversation alongside Rodri and Casemiro as the best defensive midfielder in the league.
However, as Thomas Partey has continued to drop clanger after clanger from Arsenal, journalist Sam Dean suggested that he may have been struck by an injury.
“Thomas Partey has dropped off a cliff in the past few games. He’s forgotten how to play football in the same way, and watching him against City on Wednesday was bizarre. I don’t know about his fitness and I’ve not asked anyone, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was carrying something”, he said on the Arsenal Beat Podcast.
HITC View: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a dilemma on his hands
As poor as Thomas Partey has been for Arsenal for weeks, even if he has not been hit by injury, it may be time to bench him.
However, the dilemma Mikel Arteta has on his hands is that with Chelsea, Newcastle United and Brighton awaiting his side, starting a player as powerless in defensive transitions like Jorginho may be asking for trouble.
Simultaneously, it almost seems risky to field the Ghanaian powerhouse in the side after just how shambolic he has been during crunch time.
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