Another player from Arsenal has been unable to participate in international duty due to health-related issues.
Yet another member of the Arsenal squad has been forced to pull out of representing their country due to health issues.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has had to withdraw from international duty with Ghana for their Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Sudan due to medical concerns.
The captain of the Black Stars has made a strong start to the season, participating in all seven of Arsenal’s Premier League games as well as their two Champions League fixtures.
Partey has established himself as a vital component of Mikel Arteta’s midfield alongside Declan Rice, having already scored a key goal in the team’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa in August.
Last weekend, the 31-year-old played as a right-back in the victory against newly-promoted Southampton but had to be substituted late in the game after sustaining a knock.
On Monday, the Ghana Football Association announced, “Thomas is unable to join the Black Stars due to medical issues he is currently facing, and his club has arranged for him to undergo further tests in the coming days.”
Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has indicated that the midfielder is believed to be unwell rather than dealing with an injury or muscle issue, as was initially suspected.
It is reported that the 31-year-old defensive midfielder will stay in London to focus on regaining full fitness ahead of Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth on October 19.
In addition to Partey, three other players—Joseph Paintsil, Ibrahim Osman, and Kingsley Schindler—have also withdrawn from the Ghana squad for the upcoming international fixtures.
Paintsil is dealing with hamstring pain, Ibrahim has a strained calf muscle, and Schindler is absent due to a medical emergency for which he is receiving treatment.
Injury concerns are escalating for Arteta.
Partey’s exit from international duty comes just a day after the German Football Association confirmed that Kai Havertz would remain in London for the next two weeks to recuperate from a knee injury.
Other Arsenal players sidelined from international representation this month include Ben White and Jurrien Timber, both of whom missed the recent victory over Southampton due to fitness issues.
Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is anticipated to return from his leg injury only after the international break and will not participate for Ukraine as he concentrates on regaining full fitness.
Kieran Tierney is also unavailable for Scotland due to a hamstring injury he incurred during the European Championship this summer, while Takehiro Tomiyasu’s absence from Japan’s squad is believed to be linked to his recent recovery from a knee injury.
Lastly, club captain Martin Odegaard will not join the Norway national team due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during the last international break.
