ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has stated that the club did not rush Thomas Partey back from injury to face rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
The Ghana international limped off during the North London derby after suffering a recurrence of the thigh injury that kept him out for four games.
Mikel Arteta has come under fire for starting Thomas Partey in the defeat against TottenhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Partey was substituted at half-time after picking up a fresh thigh injury
He will now miss the next few matches for the Gunners, though Arteta has stressed he was fit enough to start against Spurs.
Commenting on the decision to play the 27-year-old, the Spaniard said: “He did incredibly well and was very confident.
“We tested him three times and he had zero incidents.
“In football you have a lot of unpredictable actions.”
Arteta has been criticised for his role in Partey’s injury, but the ex-Atletico Madrid ace took to Instagram to defend the former Arsenal skipper.
Uploading a picture of the two together, Partey said: “Being part of the Arsenal family is something incredible for me, since the day I arrived I have felt so supported.
“The coach had a great influence in my decision to join this team and even though we had some bad results I know we are building something good together.
“I have had the bad luck to suffer an injury but I hope I can play again soon and fight for this team.”
Arteta is under huge pressure at the Emirates with the club sitting in 15th spot in the Premier League after 11 games.
It has been claimed that he has just three games left to save his job with ex-Juventus boss Max Allegri waiting in the wings.
Arsenal face Irish outfit Dundalk on Thursday where they are looking to make it six wins from as many games in the Europa League this term.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
