AFCON-bound Thomas Partey won’t miss Arsenal-Chelsea game in February after postponement

Arsenal have been handed a massive boost following the rescheduling of their clash with Chelsea in the Premier League in February.

This means Ghana star Thomas Partey will be available for the much-anticipated match next year.

Partey, who is deputy skipper of Black Stars, is certain to be in Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Gunners are expected also to lose Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny due to the AFCON.

The tournament kicks off on January 9, with the final on February 6.

The postponement of the game from February 12, six days after the AFCON comes a boost for Arsenal who will lose the Ghanaian star during the tournament.

On Tuesday, it was announced the Premier League fixture between the Chelsea and Arsenal initially scheduled for February 12, 2022 – six days after the AFCON final takes place – has been postponed due to the Blues’ involvement in the Club World Cup.

A statement reads: “Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures against Brighton and Arsenal in February have been postponed due to our involvement in the Club World Cup, with the draw for that having taken place yesterday.

“We were due to travel to Brighton on Tuesday, 8 February before hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge a few days later on Saturday, 12 February, but both these games will now be rescheduled.

“New details for both games will be announced in due course.”