Arsenal suffer major injury blow on eve of Manchester United fixture

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey looks set to miss Sunday’s clash with Manchester United after suffering a groin injury in training.

The Ghana Football Association says the 30-year-old has been ruled out of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to the potentially significant issue. It says club doctors say the problem was picked up on Thursday and he is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

A statement from the Ghana FA revealing the squad for the upcoming internationals said: “Arsenal ace Thomas Partey is left out of the squad due to injury. According to his club, the player picked up an injury in training and could be on the sidelines for a while, however the Black Stars medical team is monitoring the situation.”

In a further statement, it added of Partey: “He sustained a groin injury during training on Thursday, August 31, 2023. He is currently unavailable as Club Doctors predict he's likely to be out for a couple of weeks.”

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Partey has operated as a hybrid full-back in Mikel Arteta’s experimental system with Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard making up the midfield. The Gunners are expected to have Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Eddie Nketiah - who had been feared injured - ready to start against United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu returns from suspension although summer arrival Jurrien Timber - once of interest to Erik ten Hag - is out injured.

United have injury problems of their own with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Tom Heaton and Raphael Varane all out injured.

Deadline day signings Sergio Reguilon and Altay Bayindir were registered in time for the trip to the Emirates