Why injuries plague Arsenal’s Thomas Partey

Questions have been asked throughout Thomas Partey’s time at Arsenal on his poor injury record. Still, after missing eight of the 14 games this season, questions have turned into frustrations in the Arsenal fanbase.

But why has his injury record gotten worse in north London, and is it time to say goodbye to the Premier League’s seventh-most-expensive African transfer?

Partey’s persistent problems

Thomas Partey was officially promoted to Atlético Madrid’s first-team squad from Atlético Madrid B at 22 years old during the 2015/16 season. Just five months into his time in the first-team setup, Partey was ruled out for 28 days with a hamstring injury. However, after what seemed to be an anomaly of an injury, the Ghanaian established himself as a reliable anchor in the team. During his five years in Spain, ‘the octopus’ only got injured once more, which came four seasons later, in the 2019/20 season. Again, after a failed fitness test, a hamstring injury ruled Partey out of a match against Real Sociedad, but the midfielder was available for the following game.

Then, after a deadline-day move to the Emirates, Partey’s injury record took a dramatic turn for the worse. In his first year in North London, the Ghanaian international was ruled out of 25 games with injuries in his hip, hamstring and ankle.

Following Partey’s first injury, which occurred in just a month of him being in Arsenal colours, former Arsenal striker, Kevin Campbell put his injury down to bad luck. He explained that it was an “Arsenal thing” for the Gunners’ marquee signing to start their time at the club positively, and then to be sidelined with an injury.

"“It’s an Arsenal thing – you have just signed a top player, he plays well and he gets injured.” Former Arsenal and England U-21 player, Kevin Campbell “It’s an Arsenal thing – you have just signed a top player, he plays well and he gets injured.”"

Much to the dismay of Arsenal fans, Partey’s injury problems have persisted to this day. Following his first season at the club, the anchor has been absent for 26 of Arsenal’s matches, and he has missed important fixtures against Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the Gunners.

Unsurprisingly, Partey’s injuries all involve his soft tissue. On top of his hamstring injury, issues located in the thing and groin could highlight a weakness in his upper leg.

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