Arsenal star tipped to be back in action ‘very, very soon’ as NLD edges closer

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Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been tipped to return to fitness “very, very soon”.

This is according to Ghana head coach Otto Addo, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

Partey was called up to the Black Stars squad for their games against Brazil and Nicaragua.

The Arsenal ace was set to start against the Selecao, but was withdrawn before kickoff.

This was a precaution over what was initially reported as discomfort around the knee.

Then, Partey withdrew altogether from the Ghana squad ahead of their second fixture against Nicaragua.

An official statement from the Ghana Football Association stated that Partey had been given permission to travel back to London for further assessment on a knee injury suffered just minutes before the defeat by Brazil.

“Would have been helpful”

Addressing the issue on Monday, Addo explained that they did not want to risk Partey in a friendly and expressed hope he would return very quickly.

“Hopefully Thomas will be healthy very, very soon,” he told reporters, as per the Evening Standard.

“We didn’t want to take that risk in a friendly game to play him against Brazil, but surely playing a player like him against a squad like Brazil would have been helpful.”

The Arsenal midfielder only made his return from a thigh injury against Brentford last time out, after having spent three weeks on the sidelines.

With big games coming up for the Gunners against Tottenham and Liverpool, as well as Europa League group fixtures, Arsenal fans will be sweating over Partey’s fitness.

The Gunners star is an important part of Mikel Arteta’s midfield, so the club will be hoping it’s not bad news.