Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta accused of one big mistake in Thomas Partey absence

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Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been sidelined with injury for the majority of this season so far.

Arsenal could perhaps have anticipated that they would be without Thomas Partey for a significant period of this campaign. The midfielder has been injury prone since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium, and his spells on the treatment table now seem to be recurring with greater frequency as he ages.

The 30-year-old has only managed 4 Premier League appearances for the north London club this season, and has not been seen in red and white since the Gunners beat Manchester City in early October.

The Ghanaian came off the bench that day against Pep Guardiola’s reigning Premier League champions, as Mikel Arteta had given Jorginho a rare start.

The former Chelsea man has made 19 appearances for Arsenal so far this season, across all competitions. He would likely have enjoyed even less game time had Partey stayed fit, but in any case, the 32-year-old is far from a regular starter.

Of course, Declan Rice is the nailed-on first choice to play at the base of the Gunners’ midfield trio. However, journalist Charles Watts certainly feels that Jorginho is deserving of a greater level of involvement.

What can Jorginho offer Arsenal whilst Thomas Partey is injured?

Watts feels that the 32-year-old has plenty to contribute to the Gunners’ build-up play. Whilst he has his flaws as a player, Jorginho is an excellent passer of the ball.

At times this season, without Partey available to pull the strings in the middle of the park, Arsenal have struggled to get the ball forward to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli quickly enough for the wingers to take advantage of any space they might have created for themselves.

Speaking to Harry Symeou on The Chronicles of a Gooner, Watts stated that Jorginho could offer a solution to this problem. Asked why Arsenal are struggling to play penetrative passes between the lines, the reporter stated, “Thomas Partey’s absence is a big part in that…I felt like he [Jorginho] had been a bit underused by Arteta this season, in the absence of Thomas Partey…I thought he played well against Liverpool…there is definitely a strong argument that he hasn’t been used enough in the absence of Thomas Partey this season.”

Arteta may be running out of time to make the most of having Jorginho at his disposal. As things stand, the 50-cap Italy international is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and his contract talks with Arsenal have reached a “standstill.” It seems that the veteran midfielder may not be a big factor in Arteta’s current or future plans.