Agbonlahor: Arsenal backed to sign Thomas Partey replacement after permission granted
Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Arsenal to sign an upgrade on Thomas Partey in the January transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict after Partey suffered a fresh injury setback.
The 29-year-old made his return from a thigh injury in the 3-0 win over Brentford earlier this month (18 September) before he jetted off to international duty with Ghana.
However, he had to pull out of their 3-0 friendly defeat to Brazil on Friday (23 September) with a knee injury.
Ghana released a statement the day after confirming that the midfielder had returned to London for further assessment on the issue.
Asked whether Partey’s issues could prompt Arsenal to sign a new midfielder in January, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Yes.
“Arsenal might look in January and think ‘You know what, we’re third in the league, we’re second in the league, we’ve got a really good chance this season of finishing in the top four’ and they will have to go out and get one.
“Their fans were very upset when the window closed and they didn’t get one.
“Thomas Partey is always going to be injured, he’s very injury prone. [Granit] Xhaka’s been outstanding, [Albert Sambi] Lokonga is still up and coming but they need one more.
“It was strange that they didn’t fill that position, especially when they know Thomas Partey is not going to play a lot of games this season because he’s always injured.
“They need to definitely get one in during the January window.”
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