Ghana national team coach Chris Hughton clarified the situation regarding Thomas Partey’s substitution at half-time during a recent match against Mexico. Contrary to concerns about a new injury setback, Hughton assured that Partey had not suffered any additional injuries and that the decision to substitute him after 45 minutes was planned beforehand. Partey had previously experienced a groin injury during Arsenal’s third game of the season against Fulham, which had kept him sidelined for the subsequent six matches.
Returning to the field after recovering from the injury, Partey made his first appearance since August as a substitute during a Champions League game against Lens. He subsequently played for 15 minutes in a win over Manchester City. These appearances were carefully managed due to his recent injury and the need to gradually reintegrate him into the team.
In the friendly games against Mexico and the USA, Partey was included in the Ghana squad. However, considering his recent injury history and limited recent playing time, Hughton and the coaching staff had planned for him to play only 45 minutes. Hughton emphasized that this decision was made in light of Partey’s recent return to the pitch and to prevent any potential overexertion.
To monitor Partey’s progress and ensure his fitness, Arsenal took the precaution of sending physiotherapist Simon Murphy to Ghana with the midfielder. This cautious approach underlines Arsenal’s concern for the player’s well-being and their intention to manage his recovery carefully.
In addition to Partey’s situation, there were updates on other Arsenal players. Bukayo Saka, who had been forced off during a match against Lens, was expected to recover in time for a crucial upcoming clash against Chelsea. William Saliba, dealing with a toe injury, was also expected to be available for the same game against Chelsea. Leandro Trossard, who sustained a knock while playing against Manchester City, withdrew from the Belgium squad but was likely to recover for future matches.
These updates shed light on the careful management of Arsenal’s players, especially those returning from injuries, and emphasize the importance of monitoring their progress to ensure their well-being and performance on the field.