Arteta must now move on from ‘world-class’ £200k-a-week star, he’s holding Arsenal back

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Thomas Partey was once again unavailable to play for Arsenal on Tuesday evening.

Prior to their Champions League clash with Sevilla, Arsenal confirmed that Thomas Partey would miss out on the fixture due to having sustained a muscle injury.

Partey has managed just five appearances for the north London club so far this season, including the Community Shield. This is hardly a new problem, either. The 30-year-old has missed crucial matches in every season he has spent on the book at the Emirates Stadium.

Year-on-year, since his £45 million arrival in the summer of 2020, Partey’s fitness issues have worsened. Mikel Arteta must now recognise that this situation is untenable.

The Gunners had an opportunity to offload the Ghanaian in the most recent summer transfer window. As reported by Sky Sports Italia at the time, the £200,000-a-week star agreed terms with Juventus, and also had offers on the table from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

However, Arsenal opted to keep him. Now, that decision is looking increasingly like it was an error.

Thomas Partey is halting Arsenal progress

There is no doubting Partey’s quality. Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has previously dubbed him a “world-class” player.

However, having a world class player who isn’t available to play is arguably worse than not having the player at all. If Arsenal had sold Partey, Arteta would have been forced to respond accordingly in the transfer market. By keeping him, though, there was no immediate requirement to source a replacement. Except, there sort of was, because Partey can’t be relied upon to be available.

This state of affairs is holding Arsenal back. Arteta’s strongest possible starting XI probably still includes Partey. The Spanish coach is now stuck in a perennial waiting game, his preferred tactics and system compromised by the fact that, all too often, a less ideal option is having to stand in for the 47-cap Ghana international.

Perhaps things can turn around this season. It isn’t impossible that Partey could get back to full fitness quickly and stay that way for the rest of the campaign. You wouldn’t bet on it though. Unfortunately, Arteta has already gambled.