The international break serves up little for club football fans except a period of desperate hope that your team’s players return unscathed to finish the season strongly. As is typically the case however not everything goes to plan and whilst Martin Odegaard escaped a dangerous Rodri challenge Thomas Partey on the other hand has seemingly not been as fortunate.
The Ghana head coach Chris Hughton confirmed the side’s talismanic midfielder had indeed suffered a problem. In his post-match interview, Hughton said: "Thomas [Partey] has some small issues. We felt it was too big of a risk to start him [against Angola]."
The extent of the injury remains somewhat unknown although Goal suggests he remains with a good chance of featuring against Leeds United. The episode however has again raised the question mark of how Arsenal should react if they are ever without the 29-year-old.
READ MORE: Busting Declan Rice 'overrated' myth as Arsenal look to sign star who trumps Caicedo and Lavia
football.london understands that a central midfielder is high on the agenda for the summer transfer window. Furthermore, it is indeed West Ham United’s Declan Rice that is leading the list of candidates which also includes Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
Questions have been rightfully raised about how a fee that’s likely to be in the region of Arsenal’s rejected £70million bid for Caicedo can be justified for Rice who wouldn’t immediately start over Partey. However, the Ghanaian has missed a long list of matches since signing for Arsenal due to reoccurring injuries and the Gunners need to ensure competitive cover.
Jorginho was signed in January and has given a significant upgrade on Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny who were the previous options. Rice’s athleticism though could easily see him used both instead of Partey and with him in the role currently occupied by Granit Xhaka.
Partey has also shown a willingness to get forward. A partnership between Rice and the former Atletico Madrid man could be established so that both have a license to advance predicated on the fact the other knows when to stay disciplined.
With Arsenal very likely to be in the Champions League next season, having options who can rotate in and out of the squad between weekend and midweek matchdays without seeing the level drop allows the club to emulate the success of Manchester City. Although the European competition has eluded them with only one final appearance to speak of so far, they’ve won four of the last five league campaigns despite consistently going deep into their European participation.
A core midfield group of Partey, Rice, Xhaka, Jorginho and Elneny gives Arsenal some great options to tackle the four competitions for next season. Jorginho’s smart 18-month deal gives the club flexibility with his future and could lead to either more investment or promotion from within with the likes of Charlie Patino highly rated.
In short, it’s an inevitability that both injuries will occur and that Arsenal will respond this summer with a signing. Those concerned about the figures might need to get somewhat acclimatised to it though with the direction the sport is heading.
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