Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defends decision to pick Thomas Partey

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Mikel Arteta has suggested that he would disagree with those who may fear that Thomas Partey was brought back too soon, as he confirmed – in comments reported by Football London – that he will miss the next few games.

Partey made his return to the Gunners side at the weekend after almost a month out. As reported by Football London, he had been suffering with a thigh injury.

Unfortunately, his return to the side did not last too long. He limped off as Tottenham closed in on their second goal on Sunday.

Given the occasion, you could understand why some supporters may have wondered if Arsenal had taken a gamble and rushed Partey back too soon.

However, Arteta insisted that there was every reason to believe that the 27-year-old would be able to get through the game as he provided an update on his current status.

‘He was completely fine’

“He got injured in the same area, not exactly the same spot but the same area as before,” he said, as reported by Football London. “He will miss the next few matches.

“He did incredibly well and he was very confident. We tested him three times and he had zero symptoms, but in football you have a lot of unpredictable actions.

“He went into the floor, his knee got stuck, afterwards he stretched and got up. Immediately he put a lot of stress in a similar area and it happened.

“Afterwards people will say it was a bit early but I don’t think it was because he was completely fine to play.”

It is a real blow for Arsenal to lose Partey – who earns £250,000-a-week, according to Spotrac -again. He has been a shining light in what has, so far, been an underwhelming campaign for the Gunners.

Partey has certainly been the most impressive performer in the middle of the park. And it is going to take a number of players stepping up their game in the coming games to ensure that his absence does not hit the time too hard.