Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is a doubt for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid following a fresh injury concern, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
Partey, who started in Arsenal’s 3-0 first-leg win at the Emirates Stadium, was withdrawn as a precaution after feeling discomfort, and the club is now waiting for further medical assessment ahead of the decisive clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to the media, Arteta said: “We didn’t expect the issue with Thomas that we had to take him out. He felt something so we didn’t want to take any risks. We don’t know the diagnosis yet — I haven’t spoken to the doctors. They will check him now and see how he is.”
The Ghanaian international had recently returned to full fitness and played a key role in the Gunners’ midfield, but his potential absence would be a blow as Arsenal aim to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.
Arteta also revealed that Ben White could miss the game due to fitness issues, while Jorginho is ruled out after suffering a chest injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford in the Premier League.
Arsenal travel to Spain with a commanding three-goal lead, but Real Madrid’s European pedigree means Arteta is keen to have as many of his key players available as possible.
