Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has returned from international duty earlier than expected, with attentions now shifting towards his status for next Saturday's North London Derby at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Injuries and fitness concerns have been a recurring theme for the 29-year-old ever since he joined the Gunners for £45m on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2020 and there were fears he suffered yet another setback after being forced to withdraw from the Ghana starting line-up against Brazil.
"Thomas Partey has been replaced by Baba Idrissu," the official Ghana Twitter account tweeted 10 minutes before kick-off. However, shortly afterward it was confirmed this decision was nothing more than a precautionary measure, although the situation has developed further.
