Thomas Partey will be not available for Arsenal’s trip to Leeds United after failing to recover from a thigh strain, according to Charles Watts of Goal.
Thomas Partey Absent for Arsenal’s Trip to Leeds United
Injury Not Thought to Be Serious
Partey injured his thigh in Arsenal’s last match before the international break, a 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
Although the Ghanaian’s knock is not thought to be serious, he will be unavailable for selection on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Elland Road to face Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds.
Since arriving in North London for £45 million on deadline day, Partey has made an impressive start to life in an Arsenal shirt.
Mikel Arteta Faces Headache Over Midfield Selection
In addition to Partey, the Gunners will also be without Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac, who both tested positive for Covid-19 whilst on international duty.
With two first-choice midfielders unavailable, Arteta may be forced into a reshuffle ahead of what is a must-win game for his side.
Although he has favoured a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, the absences of Partey and Elneny could see the Spaniard return to the 3-4-3 he implemented at the end of last season, with Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos as a double-pivot in the centre of the park.
Arteta may be tempted to stick with a three-man midfield thanks to the versatility of England youngster Bukayo Saka, who has experience playing in a more central role as well his preferred position as a left winger.
Whatever his preferred shape is against Leeds, the priority for Arteta is to make a return to winning ways. A victory for Arsenal could see them move as high as seventh if other results go their way this weekend.
A mixed start to the season for both clubs means they are separated by just two points heading into Sunday’s clash.
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