Arsenal drop major team news hint as Mikel Arteta midfield plan clear amid Thomas Partey absence
Arsenal have dropped another team news hint ahead of their opening Champions League group stage clash against PSV. Mikel Arteta will welcome the Belgian outfit to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening as either side looks to kickstart the competition with a win.
While the Gunners boss has a wealth of options at his disposal, Thomas Partey is unavailable for selection which comes as a major blow. The 30-year-old midfielder has been a key fixture in Arteta's starting lineup since he was signed from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, playing a crucial role in Arsenal's Premier League title challenge last term.
However, unfortunately for the north Londoners, Partey sustained a groin injury during a training session earlier this month and he's said to be on the sidelines until October. At the start of September, Arteta said: «It doesn’t look good. I believe he’ll be out for weeks. I think it’s more a groin [than a hamstring problem], but it could be something in between both.»
With Partey out, Arteta will likely rely on Declan Rice to anchor Arsenal's midfield against PSV – or, failing that, at least provide the Gunners with some steel in the middle of the park. In fact, Arsenal's latest social media post may suggest that the England international starts against Peter Bosz's side.
Rice, who joined the Gunners in the summer from West Ham, headed the club's pre-match preview graphic which was posted across their social media pages. While it does not necessarily confirm that he will definitely start, historically it means that he will be involved in some capacity.
Ahead of Arsenal's clash against PSV, Arteta was quizzed on the experience that Jorginho and Kai Havertz bring to the side having won the Champions League with Chelsea
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