Arsenal’s Thomas Partey left out of Ghana’s AFCON 2023 squad

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will be among the big names who will miss out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after he was left out of Ghana’s squad.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton named his final 27-man squad on Monday and there was no place for Partey who has been out with injuries this season.

The midfielder will stay in London instead and continue his recovery after suffering another setback when he was close to returning.

“I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and Arsenal staff. They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he’s had,” said Hughton.

Partey’s 2023/24 season has been hampered by two lengthy lay-offs. Firstly, he missed six weeks of action as a result of a groin injury sustained in training on the eve of the Manchester United fixture back in September.

He then made his comeback as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Manchester City before representing Ghana during the October international break.

However, disaster struck ahead of the UEFA Champions League tie away at Sevilla as another setback left Partey requiring a specialist procedure for treatment on his thigh. As a result, he's missed the last 16 Arsenal games across all competitions.

Partey was not available as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Fulham on Sunday and looks set to miss the FA Cup third round tie at home to Liverpool this weekend.

"There is a chance, yes. We’ll have to see," said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta in the pre-West Ham United press conference last Wednesday when asked if the midfielder and Takehiro Tomiyasu could return before heading off on international duty.

"They haven’t trained yet so they’re still far away off that. Hopefully they can evolve in the right way."

His unavailability robs Hughton and Ghana of one of their star players before their Group B opener against Cape Verde on January 14.

The Black Stars had a mixed 2023 and head into the delayed tournament with little expectations among fans that they will finally end their long wait for the AFCON title which they last won in 1982.

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