Mikel Arteta has expressed his concern after Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey picked up another injury setback ahead of Arsenal’s crucial clash against Liverpool.
The Ghanian has not featured for Arsenal since the 1-0 win over Manchester City in October, in what has been an injury riddled season for the midfielder.
And Arteta says it is still a matter of waiting to find out the extent of Partey’s set-back.
“With Thomas unfortunately we had a little setback a few days ago. He’s not going to be available in the squad. We’ll see if it’s a matter of days or weeks. But he had a little thing”, said Arteta.
“I’m not a doctor, but he felt something in a very similar area and he wasn’t able to train the last few days.
“It is a big concern because he is such an important player for us. He was getting some momentum at the start of the season and then we lost him for a while. Now it has been a long time without him.
“He gives us something different that no other player can give us in the squad so he will be a miss.”
Partey has only made four league appearances for Arsenal so far this season. In his previous three campaigns at the Emirates, he has surpassed 20 league appearances for the Gunners.
With just 16 games to go of the campaign, Partey will hope he can regain full fitness and help his side in what is proving to be a mouthwatering title race.
Arteta has not put the injury issues down to bad luck.
“They have been different kind of injuries but not everything is bad luck. There are a lot of things that are difficult to control”, said the Arsenal boss.
“Obviously the player has a history as well when he had some issues in the past so we have to try to protect him and do everything that we can to avoid it again.”
