Mikel Arteta now tells 30-year-old to earn ‘the right’ to play for Arsenal again

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Mikel Arteta has now told Thomas Partey that the midfielder has to earn ‘the right’ to play for Arsenal again having finally returned from his injury against Sheffield United.

The 30-year-old made his first appearance since October 8 as Arsenal cruised to a 6-0 win on Monday. Partey had not played in the Gunners’ previous 24 games in all competitions due to a thigh injury. He had also only played for 15 minutes since August 26 after a groin injury.

Partey sustained his thigh injury during training at London Colney and ultimately required an operation in November. He and Arsenal both hoped the small procedure would allow for the Ghanaian to return in time to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations this January.

Thomas Partey returned from his injury as Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United

But further setbacks blocked Partey’s attempts to regain fitness around the New Year. Arteta was also loath to rush the 45-cap anchor back into the Emirates Stadium team’s line-up after a lengthy lay-off. But Partey trained without issues ahead of Arsenal visiting Sheffield United.

With Arsenal also cruising to a 6-0 win, Arteta used their trip to Bramall Lane to hand Partey some minutes. The midfielder replaced Jorginho in the 65th minute to help see out the win. The 25-minute cameo yielded more action than he had seen since his groin injury in August.

Mikel Arteta challenges Thomas Partey to prove he has ‘the right’ to play

His cameo at Sheffield United was further just the third time through six appearances across all competitions this season that Partey has been in Arsenal’s midfield. Arteta unleashed him as a makeshift right-back prior to the Ghanaian’s groin issue in three Premier League games.

Now, Arteta has challenged Partey to prove he deserves further minutes in Arsenal’s XI after returning from his injury nightmare. The Gunners coach also admits the midfielder needs to keep increasing his workload given he has only enjoyed 366 minutes so far this term in total.

“Thomas is available now to play a certain number of minutes,” Arteta said, via the Arsenal website. “He needs to build that because it was his first minutes after four months, which is a long time. And then, like everybody, you need to have the right to earn the minutes.”