Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits he wishes AFCON bound Thomas Partey was staying

Manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has disclosed that he wishes Thomas Partey was not going to the 2021 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

According to the Spanish tactician, the club needs all of its players for upcoming crucial matches especially those leaving for the AFCON, some of whom are top players at the club.

“Obviously, they want them yesterday and we want them [until] next month. That’s the conversation we’re having with them right now.”

“If you give me the choice, I want them to stay. We’re going to need them with the context that we’re in,” Mikel Arteta said at a press conference.

The Arsenal boss added. “We need them all but I understand that they have their obligations and we have to let them go.”

This Sunday, the Gunners are scheduled to face off with Norwich City in the English Premier League.

Just 48 hours later, the team will have to face Wolves in what will be a tough period for the club set to miss Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Mo Elneny, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang because of the 2021 AFCON.