Arsenal are set to be without midfielder Thomas Partey for the Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium tonight, football.london understands. The 29-year-old has been left out of the squad due to a tight muscle ahead of tonight's match and will not be available for selection.
January signing Jorginho is expected to replace Partey in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup against City with the Ghana international's absence coming as a huge blow to the Gunners. Arteta had revealed in his pre-City press conference that he was facing no new injury concerns after the 29-year-old midfielder was spotted taking part in training.
Arsenal were hopeful that City star Erling Haaland would be unavailable for selection after Pep Guardiola revealed he 'didn't know' whether the 22-year-old would be fit. Haaland was taken off at half-time during the reigning champions' win against Aston Villa with a suspected thigh problem, but took part in training on Tuesday and has been declared fit to be a part of the squad to face the north Londoners.
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Partey has proved to be a crucial player for Arteta this season and it remains to be seen how the team copes with his absence. The injury is not thought to be serious but there are concerns due to the difference in attributes between him and Jorginho.
The Ghanaian midfielder joins a lengthy injury list at Arsenal with fellow midfielder Mohamed Elneny already sidelined, while Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are working their way back up to fitness. Gabriel Jesus remains on the sidelines following a knee injury sustained at the World Cup. Albert Sambi Lokonga would be the usual replacement for a midfielder in the squad, but he moved to Crystal Palace on loan during the January transfer window to continue his development following Jorginho's arrival from Chelsea.
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