Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has announced that Thomas Partey is not injured after being replaced midway through Sunday’s match against Mexico.
Partey suffered a groin injury in Arsenal’s third game of the season against Fulham and will miss the following six.
The former Atletico Madrid player was an unused substitute in the Champions League loss to Lens and came off the bench for the first time since August in the final 15 minutes of the 1-0 triumph over Manchester City before the international break.
Partey was named to Ghana’s roster for friendlies against Mexico and the United States, beginning with a 2-0 loss to El Tri in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 30-year-old was replaced at halftime, but Black Stars head coach Hughton promptly allayed any new injury concerns, stating that the decision to only give him 45 minutes was decided before kickoff.
Hughton said at a press conference, “Thomas was always going to play 45 minutes.”
‘He has been out for three to four weeks with an injury; he returned for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game and played 20 minutes in the next. So we knew he’d only be on the field for 45 minutes.’
Given the midfielder’s recent injury issues, Arsenal chose to send physiotherapist Simon Murphy to Ghana with him to monitor his development.
Following the international break, Arsenal will face Chelsea on Saturday, October 21.
Bukayo Saka and William Saliba remained in north London during the international break after being released from the England and France squads, respectively.
Saka was injured in the defeat to Lens and missed the triumph against Manchester City as a result, but Arsenal are hopeful that he will be fit for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Saliba withdrew from the Les Blues team due to a toe injury he had been nursing for several weeks. He is anticipated to play against Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
Leandro Trossard also withdrew from Belgium’s team after suffering an injury versus City.
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