Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury record since joining the Gunners has been absolutely shocking.
The 30-year-old simply cannot catch a break for the North London side. In total, he’s now missed more than 40 Premier League games for the club.
While the Ghanaian has managed 104 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side since arriving in 2020, he’s missed almost half that many matches due to injury.
Partey has been injured for 50 Arsenal matches in all competitions in his four seasons at the club, and has played just five times all season.
And he’s now been left out of the Ghana squad for the upcoming AFCON tournament due to what has been described as a “substantial” hamstring injury picked up in November.
As fans begin to wonder if they’ll ever see an end to his fitness problems, we’ve broken down Partey’s injury record with the midfielder seemingly no closer to a return.
Thomas Partey’s Injury Record At Arsenal
Arsenal’s latest blow comes after Partey picked up a groin injury in November. There was hope he would return to training over Christmas and be in contention for AFCON selection.
But Ghana head coach Chris Hughton was far from positive about a potential return date for one of his star men.
He said: “We know the quality of player that he is. This is a player that has a substantial injury.
“I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and also engaging with the medical staff at Arsenal Football Club. They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he’s had.”
It’s the latest in a long line of injuries for Partey at Arsenal, with some beginning to ask if his days are numbered at the Emirates.
Thomas Partey Injuries To Date:
- November 2020 – Muscle – 3 Games Missed
- December 2020 – Hip – 10 Games Missed
- February 2021 – Hamstring – 3 Games Missed
- August 2021 – Ankle – 4 Games Missed
- April 2022 – Knock – 9 Games Missed
- August 2022 – Thigh – 4 Games Missed
- September 2023 – Groin – 6 Games Missed
- November 2023 – Hamstring – 11 Games Missed
Nobody can blame a player for picking up injuries, but questions can be asked about their durability. The Premier League is a famously attritional division, with players tested physically from day one.
It can take some people months to adapt to the physicality, while others never do. For Partey, his talent is obvious when he’s fit and firing, but he simply hasn’t been for some time.
We obviously hope he get’s back to fitness and is able to play a part in Arsenal’s squad once more. But unless he can put his injury problems behind him, Partey’s time at the Emirates may come to and end before long.
Mikel Arteta cannot afford to pay the wages of a player who spends longer on the physio bed than the field, and with the transfer window open, Arsenal may well look to bring in a replacement this January.
🗞️| Arsenal are willing to offload Thomas Partey, who has been given limited game time because of a thigh injury.
If they find a suitable holding midfielder, Declan Rice could revert to playing as a No 8.
Arsenal are also short of right wing cover for Bukayo Saka, if Mikel… pic.twitter.com/Xfpi5klKt5
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) January 3, 2024
The likes of Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and João Palhinha from Fulham have both been linked heavily. Declan Rice has already slotted into Partey’s role in defensive midfield since his record £105 million move from West Ham.
Whatever the outcome, it’s certainly not been an easy time for Thomas Partey as of late.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
