Thomas Partey, the Arsenal midfielder, will not be part of the Ghana squad for the upcoming international break, citing the need to prioritize his fitness. Despite initial reports suggesting Partey requested exemption to focus on regaining full fitness following recent injuries, the situation is more nuanced.
Partey’s playing time has been severely limited due to muscle injuries, with just 41 minutes of action since August. Arsenal, cautious of his recovery, have carefully managed his return to play, given his setback earlier in the season after initially returning to training in January.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, emphasized the importance of timing Partey’s return to competitive action, acknowledging the midfielder’s extended absence. Consequently, the Ghanaian national team initially omitted him from consideration for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda.
However, in a surprise move, Partey received a late call-up to the squad, conflicting with plans for him to continue training at the Sobha Realty Centre in London. Ultimately, Partey opted to remain with Arsenal, alongside other non-international teammates, including Ben White and Jurrien Timber.
Partey’s decision aligns with Arsenal’s careful approach to his recovery, with preparations underway for their crucial clash against Manchester City later this month.
