I didn’t rush injured Partey back – Arsenal boss insists

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Thomas Partey “will miss the next few matches” but does not think he rushed the Ghanaian back.

Arsenal take on Dundalk on Thursday in their final Europa League group game.

But they will face their Irish opponents without their summer signing who hobbled off injured in Sunday’s north London derby.

Partey had been absent for several games before he returned at the weekend.

Arteta confirmed that he has aggravated the same issue but maintained he was not bought back earlier than planned.

He said: “I don’t think it was a bit too early because he was completely fine to play.”

“He got injured in the same area. Not exactly the same spot, but similar as it was before. We MRI [scanned] him yesterday.

“There was an injury there and he will miss the next few matches.”

Partey’s absence has coincided with a poor run of form for the Gunners.

Arsenal have lost three of their last four league games as they languish in the bottom half of the table.

Pressure is growing on Arteta but the Spaniard has laid down the gauntlet to his established stars, many of whom aren’t performing.

©Mirror