NO PARTEY FOR UNITED CLASH

The status of Ghana national team star Thomas Partey is still the same ahead of the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United. The Ghana international is presently recovering from a thigh injury sustained during the league clash with London rivals Crystal Palace just after the last international break and would miss the visit of Manchester United in the league this weekend.

Ghana national team deputy skipper Partey has become a key player for Arsenal having moved to the club from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid at the start of last season. The Gunners were said to have paid around £45m to activate the release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

Partey has suffered several injury setbacks since his time in North London and the latest one was the thigh injury picked up during the second half of the Palace game. Initially, it was thought that his season is over as a result of the injury, but it looks like the player will return to action before the season ends in May 22.

The injury sustained against the Eagles forced Partey to miss the last three league games and he will also miss the Manchester United game at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. He was not in the Arsenal squad that lost 2-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and also from the one that lost 1-0 at home to Southampton last weekend. The Ghana international also missed the 4-2 win over home team Chelsea on Wednesday night as the Gunners ended a poor run of three consecutive defeats in the league thereby boosting their quest to finish in fourth spot at least.

Partey is not the only Arsenal player injured for the visit of Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Scotland international Kieran Tierney will also miss the game as he has been ruled out for the season after knee surgery.