via Arsenal.com
For a super star like Thomas Partey, it has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
Ended the previous campaign in really putrid form, watched as Arsenal broke bank to sign his potential replacement, Declan Rice, started the new season as an unorthodox inverted right back, suffered a nasty long term injury, made a comeback in the narrow win against Manchester City, suffered another muscular injury that required corrective surgery and finally, missed the African Cup of Nations for a country he actually leads.
Despite not being fit, Partey had to watch from the sidelines as his country, Ghana, a powerhouse in African football, got smacked around by one of the surprise packages of the tournament, Cape Verde. Partey’s team had an all or nothing clash against the Pharaoh’s of Egypt, but Ghana surrendered the lead twice to end the game in a stalemate.
The Black Stars needed an all-important win against the group’s whipping boys, Mozambique, to assure themselves a spot in the Round of 16, and two converted penalty kicks from Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew put Chris Hughton’s side on their way to qualification but Ghana inexplicably conceded two goals in stoppage time to end the game in a draw, leaving them with only two points, thereby leading to elimination. As expected, Hughton was relieved off his duties as Ghana coach.
With Arsenal scheduled to have loads of Premier League games in February, as well as the Champions League double header with FC Porto, Mikel Arteta will need all his players at his disposal, and having an influential player like Partey in the business end of the campaign is a big plus.
The fans have also been clamoring for a partnership of Partey and Rice, and we will be licking our lips at the prospect of both players doing the business at the heart of the midfield as Arsenal continue their title challenge. There is the business of Partey’s contract to attend to but that’s a bridge that will probably be crossed in the summer.
We are happy Partey is finally fit and I hope he gets a handful of minutes against Nottingham Forest before starting in the crunch clash against Liverpool. That match as title indications and a win against the Scousers will put Arsenal in a very promising position, even though Manchester City will be looking to take advantage.
Sayonara.
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