The Ghana Black Stars deputy captain, according to his club manager picked a “tight groin” injury during training session. The former Atletico Madrid midfielder was left out of The Gunners’ squad in match week 11 against Watford at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Partey, 28 , per the injury is likely to miss Ghana’s two remaining Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa this month.

Mikel Arteta said in a pre-match interview: “Thomas Partey is not on our squad today because he suffered a tight groin injury on Thursday at the training grounds,” Arteta said. “We are yet to know the extent of the injury.” He added.

Thomas Partey has scored once in the ongoing season in seven apperances in the Gunners shirt. His first goal of the season came in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Aston Villa at the Emirate in October. The Krobo Odumasi native, who joined Arsenal in a long term contract at €45 million, headed home the Gunners’ opener on the 23rd minute from Emile Smith-Rowe’s corner kick at the Emirates Stadium.

Partey’s injury will be a big blow to Black Stars coach, Milovan Rajevac who will lead Ghana as guests at the Orlando Stadium against Ethiopia in Johannesburg on November 11 in the penultimate games. They will then host South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium in the final Group G games on November 14. The winner of each group will book a place in the playoffs for the FIFA World to be hosted in Qatar next year. The Black Stars are second on Group G with nine points with South Africa leading the table with 10 points with two games to end the qualifiers.