Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concerns regarding midfielder Thomas Partey’s injury which he picked up during the team’s pre-season friendly match against Chelsea on Sunday.
Partey had to be withdrawn five minutes before halftime break following a collision in the penalty area.
Initially, he attempted to continue but after few minutes, he was taken off and replaced by Granit Xhaka.
“I just had a talk with the doctor. He’ll have a scan tomorrow. At the moment it’s not looking good,” Arteta told reporters after the match.
Partey’s replacement Xhaka equalised for Arsenal after they had fallen behind early in the first half courtesy of Kai Harvetz’s great strike.
However, Tammy Abraham was gifted with a great chance in the 72nd minute and he made absolutely no mistake as he netted what turned out to be the winner for the European champions.
Arsenal may have lost 2-1 – making it no wins in three warm-up games – but they are more worried about the injury to their striker.
From Arteta’s comment, there is a likelihood that Partey won’t be available for their season opener against Brentford on August 13.
Partey’s first season at Arsenal was disrupted by numerous fitness setbacks, and he has been praying against a similar fate in the coming season.