Why Arsenal star Thomas Partey turned down Ghana national team call-up

18/03/2024 13:30

Thomas Partey has turned down a call-up to the Ghanaian national team as he continues to manage his workload after an extensive injury lay-off.

Partey started all three opening games of the Premier League season for Arsenal but has been hampered by various injuries since then.

The 30-year-old suffered a groin injury before having to undergo surgery on a serious thigh problem in November.

The midfielder was scheduled to return in early February but suffered a setback with the same injury.

Partey returned for his first minutes as a substitute in the 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United in early March but has played just 276 minutes of league football this season.

The Black Stars had called up the Arsenal player for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda but Partey is understood to have recused himself from national team selection as he attempts to reach full fitness.

He is not the only Gunners player to be staying in north London over the international break, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not played a minute for Arsenal since last month's Asian Cup, not called up to the Japan squad.

Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, was withdrawn from the Brazil squad after he suffered a foot injury in the aforementioned win over Sheffield United.

The winger has not played in the last two games for Mikel Arteta's side and will miss Brazil's upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Spain.

Ben White, who recently signed a new four-year deal, will also be staying with the club over the international break after Gareth Southgate revealed that the England right-back made himself unavailable for national team selection.

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