Thomas Partey’s inclusion for Arsenal’s away trip to Everton remains in doubt despite being cleared of any serious problems this week.
According to manager Mikel Arteta, the Ghanaian will need to be assessed ahead of their tie on Merseyside on Saturday after he sustained a knock to his rib against Manchester City last week.
Despite undergoing an MRI scan and being cleared of any breakages, the Premier League leaders are opting to proceed with caution given his importance to the team, having consistently been one Arteta’s standout performers this season.
In a press conference on Friday, the Spaniard said on Partey: “That one is still a doubt.
“Let’s see today how he comes in, and whether he’s able to train with the team or not, and we’ll make the decision on that.
“It’s not ruled out and it’s nothing very significant, but it was significant enough to get him out of the [City] game, which for Thomas is a bit unusual, but hopefully he will be fine.”
Thomas Partey has made 116 passes into the final third this season in the Premier League, the 5th best in the league.
He is still a doubt for the Everton game on Saturday according Arsenal to manager Mikel Arteta😢 pic.twitter.com/qVhFEYyNR8
— Thierry Nyann 🇬🇭 (@nyannthierry) February 3, 2023
With Mohamed Elneny ruled out with a long-term knee injury and Sambi Lokonga opting for a loan move to Crystal Palace on deadline day, Arsenal‘s latest acquisition Jorginho may be in line to make his debut this weekend, should Partey fail to prove his fitness.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta went on to speak on the progress of contract renewals following the news that Gabriel Martinelli had signed a new four-year contract.
Work has begun to secure the long-term futures of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, whose contracts expire in just over a year’s time. Arteta said:
“Part of the plan obviously is to extend the contracts of our biggest talents at the club, and commit them for the future, and we are trying to do that.
“We have started with Gabi which is good news, and The others will be done whenever we can but we have to agree on that.
“I see everybody really happy and really willing to continue at the club, but obviously we have to meet everybody’s expectations and timing is key on that.”
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