Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stressed the importance of carefully managing Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, considering his previous injury setbacks.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Southampton, Arteta praised Partey’s contributions and recognised the role he plays in the team.
“He’s a key player for us, he’s a massive player, and we can see that week in, week out,” Arteta said during the pre-match press conference, highlighting how integral Partey is to Arsenal’s strategy.
Despite a difficult previous season plagued by injuries, Partey returned from the summer break in what Arteta described as “the best condition he’s been in.”
“Now it’s about managing him,” Arteta added.
The Arsenal boss credited Partey’s dedication to maintaining his physical form but emphasized the need for cautious management moving forward to avoid future setbacks.
Partey is expected to feature in Arsenal’s lineup against Southampton this weekend at the Emirates Stadium.
Following the match, he will join the Ghana national team for their crucial AFCON 2025 qualifying doubleheader against Sudan on October 10 and October 15, as the Black Stars aim to secure a spot in the tournament set to be held in Morocco.