Arteta handed further Partey blow as Arsenal star could miss six extra games

Latest Arsenal news takes a look at how Mikel Arteta will be affected by Thomas Partey playing a role in helping Ghana qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024

Mikel Arteta has already been dealt one Thomas Partey blow and another is likely to follow in the coming months.

"I don't know. Unfortunately, he got injured in training," Arteta said when asked how long Partey would be sidelined for. "It doesn't look good. I believe he'll be out for a few weeks. It's more a groin." Now, according to the Daily Mail, the 30-year-old is facing a six-week layoff with the best-case scenario being that he is unavailable for selection until after the October international break.

This would mean he misses Arsenal's Premier League fixtures against Everton, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Manchester City, in addition to sitting out both Champions League group games against PSV Eindhoven and Lens as well as the Carabao Cup tie away at Brentford.

However, Gunners supporters may have to get accustomed - if they haven't already given Partey's injury record - to being without the midfielder for an extended period. But, the next likely absence won't be fitness-related as the circumstances are very much out of his control.

In early 2024 the Africa Cup of Nations takes place and after Ghana avoided defeat against Central African Republic on Thursday they have sealed their passage to the finals which means Arteta could be without Partey for up to a month in the new year, assuming the midfielder is picked by Chris Hughton.

Although he did not feature at the Baba Yara Sports stadium as the Black Stars came from behind to seal a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah, Partey has played a role in helping his national team qualify by starting two of the six fixtures and can now look ahead to putting things right after a disappointing showing in 2022.

The competition, which was last won by Senegal, will be held in the Ivory Coat between January 13 and February 11, 2024. Of course, the timing of the tournament means Premier League managers have to cope with the fact that some of their key players are poised to miss a large portion of the season.

Arteta is no different. If Partey is called up by Ghana and they reach the final then the Arsenal manager could be without his versatile midfielder for a total of eight games across all competitions. This is despite the reintroduction of the Premier League winter break, between January 14 and 20.

A lot will ultimately depend on if the Gunners have a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg to negotiate and advance to the FA Cup fourth round. If that is the scenario then that's a minimum of two extra games to consider on top of league fixtures against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and West Ham United.

Partey is not the only senior Arsenal player whom Arteta may have to plan an absence for in the new year as Mohamed Elneny's Egypt have also qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations and Japan could name Takehiro Tomiyasu in their squad for the AFC Asian Cup which commences on Friday, January 12 and draws to a conclusion on Saturday, February 10.