Thomas Partey hovered for Arsenal’s starting comeback in a crucial ‘game in hand’ against Everton.
Every game now matters for Arsenal, who are still top of the table in March.
It’s been a long time since the Gunners have reached such dizzying heights this early in the season, even though this term has been exceptionally divided by the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to keep his key players fit and available for a flurry of games that will determine whether his team has anything to show for their brilliant season.
Midfielder Thomas Partey, who has been out with a thigh injury, is one of those key players. He was questionable for the Gunners’ away trip to Leicester, and the club’s physios were unwilling to risk him for the entire 90 minutes.
Partey’s comeback must be handled with caution after an injury-plagued spell with the club. When completely fit, he has demonstrated why Arsenal was so anxious to sign him from Atletico Madrid. He’s forged a more solid connection with Granit Xhaka this season, even allowing his Swiss teammate to make more forward runs.
He was given six minutes of playing time at the King Power Stadium on Saturday after being brought on by Arteta to assist secure a crucial 1-0 victory.
Yet, with Arsenal’s ‘game in hand’ over City for several weeks approaching on Wednesday – a home game against Everton – Partey may now be expected to play from the outset.
New Toffees boss Sean Dyche has given grit to the ailing Merseyside club, and they are only one of three Premier League clubs to have beaten Arsenal this season, bullying the Gunners out of contention in a 1-0 victory earlier this month.
Arteta said on Partey before the weekend: “He’s a really important player for us, who we missed in the last few games. Hopefully he can be available.”
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