Arsenal‘s Title Bid Dealt Major Blow as Partey Faces Lengthy AFCON Absence
Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations have suffered a important setback with confirmation that midfielder Thomas Partey will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, perhaps missing a crucial period of the season. The news, confirmed by the Ghana Football Association on December 27, 2023, represents a gutting blow for manager Mikel Arteta, who relies heavily on Partey’s defensive midfield prowess.
Partey’s inclusion in Ghana’s final 26-man squad for the tournament, which runs from January 13th to February 11th, 2024, in Côte d’Ivoire, means the Gunners could be without their key man for up to six Premier League matches, alongside potential FA Cup and Champions League fixtures. Arsenal currently sit atop the Premier League table, but a challenging run of games awaits them during Partey’s absence, potentially derailing their title charge.
the Ghana football Association announced the squad on their official website, listing Partey amongst the selected players. This confirms earlier fears surrounding his availability,despite a previous injury concern that cast doubt on his participation. Arteta had previously acknowledged the possibility of losing key players to AFCON, stating in December, “We have to prepare for that, because its a reality. We’ve known it for a long time.”
Partey has been a mainstay in Arsenal’s midfield as joining from Atlético Madrid in 2020, providing crucial protection to the defense and dictating play from deep. His absence will require Arteta to reshuffle his midfield, with options including Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny stepping up to fill the void. The timing of Partey’s departure is notably concerning, as Arsenal face tough upcoming fixtures against Liverpool, West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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