16 October 2023 , 15:03
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Ghana manager Chris Houghton has confirmed Thomas Partey has NOT suffered another injury - much to Mikel Arteta's relief.
The Arsenal midfielder, 30, was substituted at half-time during Ghana's 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Sunday. Partey has just recovered from a groin injury which forced him to miss six games before making his comeback in Arsenal's 1-0 win against Manchester City.
Yet Houghton has confirmed Partey was always going to play only 45 minutes of the friendly in Charlotte, North Carolina. He appreciates the midfielder hasn't played 90 minutes since his injury and doesn't want to risk him in a non-competitive game.
It's unclear whether Partey will feature in Ghana's next match against the United States on Wednesday. That friendly will take place in Nashville, Tennessee. "Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes," said Houghton when asked about Partey's fitness.
"He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game and played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes."
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Arteta is currently sweating over the fitness of Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Leandro Trossard (hamstring) and William Saliba (toe), who all missed this month's internationals. He's also without long-term absentee Jurrien Timber after he suffered a serious injury in August.
Arteta will be hoping Partey isn't added to that list ahead of Arsenal's big Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Gunners have made a good start to the season and sit level on points with Tottenham at the top of the table.
Partey started Ghana's recently friendly against Mexico (Getty Images)How important is Thomas Partey to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes? Let us know in the comments below!
It's claimed Arteta ordered Arsenal's physiotherapist Simon Murphy to join Partey on international duty. The manager has several midfielders at his disposal - such as Jorginho, Declan Rice and Fabio Vieira - but he'll still want Partey available as much as possible.
Arteta hopes Saka, Trossard and Saliba will all be fit to face Chelsea. Saka was initially included in England's squad for this month's internationals against Australia and Italy but returned to his club after being assessed by Gareth Southgate's medical staff.
Trossard picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win against City and was substituted at half-time. Saliba also suffered his complaint against Pep Guardiola's champions but managed to finish the game before withdrawing from France's squad.
After their trip to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal will take on Champions League rivals Sevilla in Spain before hosting relegation favourites Sheffield United at the Emirates. They also have a tricky Carabao Cup tie against West Ham at the London Stadium on the horizon.