When Partey is fit and available, we see the results and impact on the team- Mikel Arteta

Arsenal Football Club manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury situation is a “big concern” that played into Arsenal’s decision to fortify the defensive midfield position this past offseason as a form of “protection” for the team.

He said this in a pre game presser with Arsenal gearing up for a fourth round Carabao Cup tie against West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Partey’s time at the Emirates Stadium has been riddled with injuries and his absence affected Arsenal’s play late last season as The Gunners pushed for a first EPL title in 19 years.

Arsenal signed former West Ham United defensive midfielder Declan Rice in the offseason to shore up the position and Arteta indicated this while addressing Partey’s injury situation.

“Yes it’s (Partey’s injury situation) a big concern because when Thomas is fit and available and he’s been part of the team, we’ve seen all the results and the impact that he had in the team and this season we have more protection especially for that reason because we know in the last two seasons what had happened and the impact that had in the team so we had to address that and now it happened and it happens in football.”

Fellow Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus is in line to play for West Ham in Wednesday’s game.