Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expects Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey to be out for a “couple of weeks” after he picked up a groin injury in training.
The Spaniard, however, said the injury doesn’t look good.
The 30-year-old has since missed Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
He is also set to miss the Black Stars’ crucial final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic.
Partey was seen in Arsenal’s final training pictures, but reports on England claimed Partey was going to be on the sidelines for months.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s game against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta said the 30-year-old will only need to take a couple of weeks out while he recovers.
“It doesn’t look good. We need a few more tests but he felt something in training and I think he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“He had the capacity to play in various positions and today was a game for him to play in a different position but he is not available.”
Ghana will host the Central Africa Republic in their final Group E game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Chris Hughton’s team leads Group E with nine points, a point ahead of Angola and two above the Central Africa Republic. Madagascar is bottom of the group with two points.
The Black Stars need a point from the game to book qualification for the tournament to be held in Ivory Coast next January.
