If the Gunners are to continue to contend for the title this year, manager Mikel Arteta must take all reasonable steps to prevent midfielder Thomas Partey from suffering another injury, according to former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson.
Due to chronic fitness concerns, Partey has now missed four games this season, including Arsenal’s lone loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Prior to the international break, the Ghanaian player returned from injury against Brentford, but he was unable to play in Ghana’s most recent friendly match against Brazil due to yet another setback.
The 29-year-old was healthy enough to begin Saturday’s Premier League derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, and he scored a goal as Arteta’s team overcame Spurs 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
But according to Upson, Arteta should control Partey’s playing time to keep him fresh for crucial contests.
“He was man of the match for me,” Upson told Stadium Astro.
“I thought he was excellent, obviously in terms of the goal contribution, which is a big deal for a defensive midfield player.
“But just the simplicity. He is that rock in midfield, that anchor allowing Xhaka to go and pick up those positions, allowing [Martin] Odegaard to drift into those roles, knowing they have got the responsibility of someone like him sat behind them.
“Today he was excellent, involved in a lot of passing in the build-up, to me that is a man of the match performance from a midfield player.
“Definitely, it is a big thing they have to achieve. Whether that is to manage his minutes, adjust his training schedule, whatever they need to do I feel they have to keep him fit ready for occasions like today,” he added.
