Arsenal top-four hopes have suffered ‘massive blow’ after Thomas Partey latest – Campbell
Kevin Campbell fears the extent of Thomas Partey’s injury is a “massive blow” to Arsenal in the race for the top four.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners striker claimed the 28-year-old is Mikel Arteta’s side’s “best and most influential player.”
Partey missed Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday after suffering an injury against Crystal Palace.
A scan revealed the midfielder had damaged a muscle in his right thigh.
As quoted by Football.London (8 April), Arteta revealed Partey would be out “for some weeks” with the problem.
When asked how the injury effects Arsenal’s top-four hopes, Campbell told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “It’s massive blow.
“I don’t care what anyone says, he is Arsenal’s best and most influential player. When he is on his game he makes Arsenal tick. He’s the man.
“Without him, it is all hands to the pump. We cannot afford to be without him for too long, especially not with Granit Xhaka playing at left-back.
“We are down on numbers and we don’t have the biggest squad. I have made the analogy at times that our bench could look like an advert for Mothercare and it could. If we pick up any more injuries our best will be full of kids.
“It is a tough time for us at the moment. This squad have got talent. Now is the part where they have to learn on the job to get results. By hook or by crook they have to learn on the job. They are in such a good position it would be cruel to waste it.”
In other news, Arteta has been slammed by an Arsenal idol as a ‘big’ Granit Xhaka problem is addressed.