Thomas Partey, footballer
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explained the decision to drop four of his first-team players, including Thomas Partey, for Saturday’s game at Goodison Park against Everton.
Arteta left Partey out of the starting lineup alongside captain Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. Later in the game, Ødegaard, Saka, and Martinelli were introduced, while Partey remained unused.
The Spanish manager clarified that the decision was precautionary following the injury to defender Gabriel Magalhães in the previous match against Fulham.
“There were four players who couldn’t start the game after what happened with Fulham, and obviously the injury to Gabi, so that forced us to make some changes,” he said during the post-match press conference.
“Players deserve to play minutes, so I’m very happy with that. Everybody has to be important and feel important. We have so many games coming up, and we have to rely on all of them.”
Meanwhile, Partey is expected to start for the Gunners on Tuesday night in their UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.
