Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has already missed four more games for the Gunners due to injury than he did during his five years playing for Atletico Madrid.
Evening Standard journalist Simon Collings worked out the number by looking through his appearance record on Transfermarkt, and supporters on Twitter have been stunned by the statistic:
Cursed
— Fat and Curious (@kay_kay321) February 12, 2021
Bring Messi and Ronaldo to my team Arsenal surely they will still get injured ??
— Olaposi"BamiDave (@BamiDave2) February 12, 2021
doesn't make sense.. are the Arsenal physio doing a good job??
— The Duke of Hastings ?? (@Tuji_x) February 12, 2021
We need to start questioning this physician and doctors. Because it not only partey it’s other players as well too they get injured. The question is why isn’t this doctors doing their job
— Rediat (@Rediat12) February 12, 2021
That's scandalous.
— Al (@up_the_ARSE_nal) February 12, 2021
Our medical team hasn't been the same or right for years now and our reliance on certain players is worse
— Nino Addio (@NinoAddio) February 12, 2021
Arsenal have either got the worst medical team or the worst luck, its an arsenal thing the injuries , been like it since forever
— ansar ahmad (@ansarahmad_) February 12, 2021
Partey has suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury which has troubled him since he arrived from Atletico back in October. It seems clear that the first time he returned for the North London derby, he was rushed back too early.
However, the injury against Aston Villa was more concerning. The Ghanaian had played seven matches since he returned for the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace last month. It may be the case that he has played too many games in a short space of time and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have to use him more sparingly once he makes his comeback.