Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has expressed delight over the return of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, whose availability comes as a timely boost for the Gunners ahead of their Premier League meeting with AFC Bournemouth.
Partey missed Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg due to suspension. But as the team shifts focus back to domestic duties, Arteta highlighted the midfielder’s importance and consistency this season.
“He’s a starter for us. He’s the player who’s played the most minutes in his position,” Arteta stated during his pre-match press conference. “For the biggest game of the season we didn’t have him, but Rice did a great job. Now we have [Partey] back, so more options.”
Partey, who joined from Atlético Madrid in 2020, has enjoyed a largely injury-free campaign—something that has often eluded him during his Arsenal tenure. He has featured in 47 games across all competitions this season, contributing four goals and three assists.
His return not only strengthens Arsenal’s midfield options for the Bournemouth fixture but also sets the stage for a pivotal second-leg clash against PSG on Wednesday, May 7, where Arsenal hopes to overturn the slim deficit and book a place in the Champions League final.
