Arsenal's Thomas Partey not included in Ghana squad for Africa Cup

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been left out of the Ghana squad for the upcoming internationals because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Ghana isn't on the United Kingdom's 'red list' of countries requiring 10 days of quarantine upon returning but the team play a match in South Africa, which is.

International footballers have not been granted an exemption from the quarantine rules and so Premier League clubs are refusing to release players for matches in 'red list' nations.

Partey has therefore not been granted permission by Arsenal to join the Ghana squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew and Swansea City winger Andre Ayew are also left out for the same reason.

They are set to play South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on March 25 and host Sao Tome and Principe in Cape Coast on March 28.

Ghana presently top AFCON qualifying group C ahead of South Africa on head-to-head record as they strive to make the tournament in Cameroon in January and February next year.

Partey, 27, will remain with Arsenal having only just returned to the team following a hamstring injury.

He started their last two Premier League matches against Burnley and Tottenham before coming off the bench in Thursday night's Europa League defeat to Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium.

Though Mikel Arteta's side lost the second leg 1-0, they advance to the quarter-finals 3-2 on aggregate.