Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Thomas Partey will be sidelined for several weeks with a groin injury.
The 30-year-old Ghana international missed Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 win over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium after sustaining the problem in training on Thursday and will undergo further tests.
The Ghanian FA had already confirmed Partey would miss this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Liberia, but Arteta hinted the midfielder could be sidelined for a lengthy period if the club’s worst fears are confirmed.
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“It doesn’t look good,” said Arteta, adding: “I believe he’ll be out for weeks. I think it’s more a groin [than a hamstring problem], but it could be something in between both.”
Since the start of the Premier League season, Partey has been filling in as a makeshift right-back in Arsenal’s opening three matches but that changed against United as Gabriel Magalhaes played alongside William Saliba as centre-backs and Ben White shifted back to right-back.
Partey’s injury is a significant blow to Arteta, who is already without summer signing Jurrien Timber in the position.