ARSENAL have received a boost this month with the news Thomas Partey will NOT join up with Ghana at the African Cup of Nations.
The Gunners midfielder has been out since October following surgery on a thigh injury – one that Ghana boss Chris Hughton has described as “substantial”.
Thomas Partey has been left out of the Ghana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations
Chris Hughton described the midfielder’s injury as ‘substantial’
There were hopes Partey, 30, would be back this week to be involved in Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash with Liverpool – in time to join up with his Ghana team-mates at AFCON ahead of their opening group game against Cape Verde on January 14.
However, the decision has been made between the Arsenal medical team and Black Stars head coach Hughton not to risk Partey out in the tournament’s host country Ivory Coast as he continues recovering from the “biggest injury” of his career.
In a press conference announcing his 27-man squad, Hughton explained: “Thomas Partey for sure, and I say this not in a detrimental way to the squad that we have, but he is one of our most important players.
“This we know and, withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad. 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.
“The most important thing for me as head coach and our association is to give him the support that he needs through this period of time.
“From all the information that we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.”
Partey was expected to be in the running to make the team for this weekend’s matchup at the Emirates against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, having just resumed light training.
It would be his first appearance for Arsenal in any capacity since the team’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City on October 8.
After that, he will have more time to heal and catch up because Arsenal’s next Premier League match isn’t until January 20 against Crystal Palace.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has also returned to Arsenal following a calf injury, although Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and Fabio Vieira (groin) are still sidelined.