Campbell verdict on Partey injury after conflicting updates from Arsenal & journalist
Thomas Partey needs to get multiple full matches under his belt before he can be a bona fide Arsenal star.
That is according to ex-Gunners star Kevin Campbell, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the headline 2020 signing was ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Leeds United with a hamstring injury.
Partey missed 10 games between November and January with a hip injury and Arsenal fans will be frustrated that he is set for another lengthy absence.
Football.london’s Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley had claimed Partey’s injury sustained in the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend was not serious and he could feature against Leeds.
But an official update from the club on Thursday ruled out that possibility and suggested he will miss multiple matches.
Campbell said that Partey is still adjusting from his switch from La Liga to the Premier League but that total fitness will come in time.
He told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “Obviously, Partey had quite a long spell out and we’re seeing him get his fitness in games. Because you can’t really do too much fitness work with him in training.
“Now there’s a bit of a gap between matches, you can build him up a bit. But because there was that many games coming, he was getting his fitness in games. When you do it this way, you’re gonna feel your muscles when you’re fatigued.
“Remember, this isn’t Spain. England is much more physical and much quicker in midfield.
“So he’s got to take his time. He’ll be fine but he’s got to get over finishing 90 minutes a few times, and then he’ll be alright.”
Arsenal met the 28-time international’s £45million release clause in October.
The energetic midfielder had played 188 times for the Spanish giants since graduating from their youth academy in 2013.
In other news, a top pundit has given his verdict on whether Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be an Arsenal player next season.