Thomas Partey is frustrated with his reduced role at Arsenal and will consider leaving the club if things don’t improve before Christmas, 90min understands.
The 30-year-old missed half a dozen games with a groin injury picked up in the 2-2 draw with Fulham at the end of August and has seen his place as a guaranteed starter in midfield derailed by the arrival of Declan Rice.
Partey actually started Arsenal’s first three Premier League games as a makeshift right-back before being dropped, with Ben White moving into central defense at the expense of Gabriel, with Mikel Arteta preferring to use Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz in midfield. garden.
He returned from injury in the dramatic win over Manchester City before the international break in October, but was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – something Partey notably missed after playing more than an hour for Ghana recently period. 4-0 loss at the hands of the USA.
Jorginho was chosen by Arteta to start the game for Chelsea before being replaced by Emile Smith Rowe, and the Spaniard then turned to Havertz and Leandro Trossard as Arsenal tried to equalise.
90min understands that Partey was frustrated at not starting the game in west London, in one of Arsenal’s biggest games of the season so far, and that his camp are increasingly agitated by the reduction in minutes.
As things stand now, Partey is willing to put in the work to regain his place in the team, but sources have confirmed to 90min that he will consider his options over Christmas if the situation has not changed.
Arsenal had indicated they were willing to sell Partey early in the summer transfer window but ultimately decided to stick with the Ghanaian despite interest from Pro League clubs Saudi Arabia and Juventus. But whether or not their stance has changed remains to be seen, as they have made no secret of their desire to sign a new defensive midfielder.
Partey in action for Ghana / John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages
90min revealed on Monday that the Gunners remain interested in Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, having previously made three failed bids in 2022 for the in-form Brazilian, who recently signed a new long-term deal.
Arsenal sporting director Edu has also been in Brazil recently monitoring potential targets, with Fluminense’s Andre Trindade, a player Liverpool are keen on, among those attracting attention.
Young talents Gabriel Moscardo and Pablo Maia, from Corinthians and Sao Paulo respectively, are also believed to be on Arsenal’s radar, along with Royal Antwerp teenager Arthur Vermeeren.
The 18-year-old is one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defensive midfielders, with Manchester City, Tottenham, Barcelona and Bayern Munich joining Arsenal in monitoring his progress in Belgium.
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