Arsenal have sent the club physio to Ghana with Thomas Partey in a desperate bid to ensure the key midfielder avoids injury on international duty.
The Gunners moved eight points clear of Manchester City with a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, albeit the reigning champions have a game in hand.
The victory over Palace was the Gunner’s final game before the international break.
The Ghana star, 29, is expected to face Angola in back-to-back matches on March 23 and 27 as qualifying for the African Cup of Nations continues.
To ensure Partey is fit for the Premier League title race, Simon Murphy has been tasked with monitoring him in Africa.
Thomas Partey, 29, is expected to start for Ghana against Angola in back-to-back matches
He has formed a vital partnership with Granit Xhaka in the centre of Mikel Arteta’s midfield
Partey has formed a vital partnership with Granit Xhaka in the centre of Mikel Arteta’s midfield this season, featuring in 23 of their 28 matches.
Ghana manager Chris Hughton, who was previously head coach of Norwich and Brighton, described his importance to both club and country.
He said: ‘Partey’s role in the team is as a continuity player, he is not that guy who going to dribble past multiple players.
‘His role is important to what the team does even if he doesn’t always stand out.
‘Sometimes as football fan we assume a player must necessarily fit the frame we have of him in an A team or in a B team.
‘Partey’s roles at both club and country are different from each other, but key.’
Partey has missed five Arsenal matches in the Premier League through injury this season, with the Gunners suffering two of their three defeats in his absence.
Arsenal were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United in September, while they lost by the same scoreline in his absence against City in February.
Partey was also substituted a minute before the Gunners conceded in a 1-0 loss to Everton in February.
Arsenal have already been dealt an injury blow with the Premier League leaders confirming Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Tomiyasu, who has played 21 league games this season, underwent surgery on Tuesday.
Ghana manager Chris Hughton (R) described Partey’s importance to both club and country
A club statement said: ‘Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.
‘Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season.
‘Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season.’
Key central defender William Saliba also missed Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Crystal Palace after picking up a knock against Sporting.
source: dailymail.co.uk
