What a whirlwind last 72 hours it has been for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Ghana international had a difficult game earlier in the week as his country was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations by Comoros in one of the biggest shocks of the competition’s history.
And then last night, Partey, a £45 million signing by Arsenal in 2020, was knocked out of another competition as the Gunners exited the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage.
The 28-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Mikel Arteta’s squad, so soon after jetting back from Cameroon.
And it’s obvious that Partey wasn’t prepared for the encounter against Liverpool last night, having been sent off for two yellow cards in the space of three minutes after coming on.
And here’s how Jay Bothroyd – who came through the London Colney academy – reacted to the dismissal on Twitter:
Blame game
This is on manager Arteta, if we’re honest.
Now Granit Xhaka and Partey, two midfield lynchpins, are suspended for the clash with Burnley at the Emirates this weekend for red cards against Liverpool in the League Cup semi.
Xhaka, there’s no complaints – that was entirely on him. However, should Partey have played last night?
Cameroon to London is a 5,000-kilometre trip and to go straight into the squad against one of Europe’s best teams, well it’s a questionable decision by the Spanish manager, it has to be said.
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