£45m Arsenal player should definitely not be in the team to face Lens on Tuesday

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Arsenal simply cannot afford to risk Thomas Partey against Lens on Tuesday with the game against Manchester coming this weekend.

That’s off the back of Partey making a return to Arsenal training before the trip to France.

And although Partey would be a big boost to Mikel Arteta’s chances of securing a second Champions League win, it’s not worth the risk.

It will also be a boost to Arsenal fans to know that Bukayo Saka was also seen training at London Colney.

The same precaution wouldn’t necessarily apply to Saka, a player who seems to shrug off minor knocks very well.

However, playing Partey in France would be a much bigger risk, and it’s simply not worth it.

Despite beating City in the Community Shield not so long ago, Arsenal have a torrid recent record against their rivals in the league.

Arsenal haven’t beaten City in the Premier League since 2015.

And if Arsenal are to rectify that on Sunday, Partey must be kept in reserve against Lens.

Arteta has both Declan Rice and Jorginho available for the game – options that should suffice.

Arsenal might be foolish to start Partey against Lens

Although Kai Havertz was improved against Bournemouth on Saturday, City will be a huge test.

And Mikel Arteta might be better off restoring Rice to the more advanced role on the left side of the midfield three for added defensive responsibility.

That would allow Partey to return to a defensive midfield position, one he’s surprisingly not played in this season.

Although he has drifted centrally, the Arsenal manager has decided to start Partey on the right side of defence.

This allowed Arteta’s side more tactical flexibility in the early weeks of the season when most of the squad was available.

And that large Arsenal squad should be able to overcome the challenge in Lens without Partey.

Arsenal now need their £45m midfielder to be protected ahead of a crucial game against City. 

And on that note, here’s Arsenal Insider’s predicted XI to face Lens in the Champions League.