Ghana shock gifts Arsenal a key asset back as Thomas Partey returns in run up to weekend clash
Last Updated: January 19, 2022 8:23 pm
Thomas Partey; like a new signing
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey looks set to be back in action for Arsenal sooner than expected after Ghana crashed out of AFCON 2021 in the group stage, gifting Mikel Arteta valuable internal reinforcements as the Gunners prepare for the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool.
According to Football.London’s Chris Wheatley, Arsenal are hopeful that Partey will be fit and available for action on Sunday when the north London outfit host Burnley at the Emirates after he has already left for London today in a quick turnaround.
Thomas Partey is travelling back to London today after Ghana's exit from #AFCON2021.#AFC hopeful he will be ready in time for Sunday's game against Burnley.
Odegaard back in the squad for tomorrow night's Carabao Cup semi-final. https://t.co/JbU1obSjjs
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 19, 2022
But the Ghanaian star will likely miss out on the massive clash with Liverpool tomorrow in front of the home support after the first-leg ended in a 0-0 draw at Anfield, providing Arsenal with a serious chance of opening a pathway to another cup final under their Spanish headmaster.
Arsenal star could not stop international disappointment
For all his ability on the pitch, Thomas Partey could not help Ghana avoid a shock exit at AFCON 2021 in the group stage after the Black Stars – one of the pre-tournament favorites – were unceremoniously dispatched from Cameroon after ending the opening stage at the bottom of Group C.
Thomas Partey of Ghana during Gabon against Ghana, African Cup of Nations, at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on January 14, 2022. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A late goal by former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal condemned Ghana to a 1-0 loss against Morocco to open competitive play against a formidable opponent, and a late dagger would see them drop points in a 1-1 draw against eventual group runner-up Gabon after André Ayew thought his first-half strike was enough to see themselves past Les Panthères.
The bell told late once again when the Arsenal midfielder and his compatriots were sent packing by minnows Comoros in a shock 3-2 loss after Ahmed Mogni completed his brace in the 85th minute.
It was the first time since 2006 that Ghana failed to reach the knockout stages, but Arsenal certainly will not be complaining.
This article was edited by Ben Browning.
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Arsenal vs Everton odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
| Arsenal vs Everton Result/Both teams score | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 21/10 | 13/8 |
| Everton | 10/1 | 11/1 |
| Draw | 4/1 | 14/1 |
| Arsenal vs Everton Goalscorers | First | Last | Anytime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Lacazette | 11/5 | 11/5 | 1/1 |
| Eddie Nketiah | 12/5 | 12/5 | 11/10 |
| Gabriel Martinelli | 11/4 | 11/4 | 7/5 |
| Bukayo Saka | 10/3 | 10/3 | 8/5 |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 10/3 | 10/3 | 12/5 |
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| 2 | Liverpool FC | 36 | 65 | 86 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 36 | 42 | 70 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 37 | 24 | 68 |
| 5 | Arsenal FC | 37 | 9 | 66 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 37 | 1 | 58 |
| 7 | West Ham United | 37 | 11 | 56 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 37 | -3 | 51 |
| 9 | Leicester City | 36 | 0 | 48 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 37 | -4 | 48 |
| 11 | Brentford FC | 37 | -7 | 46 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 37 | -19 | 46 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 36 | 4 | 45 |
| 14 | Aston Villa | 36 | -1 | 44 |
| 15 | Southampton FC | 36 | -20 | 40 |
| 16 | Everton FC | 36 | -20 | 36 |
| 17 | Leeds United | 37 | -38 | 35 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 36 | -18 | 34 |
| 19 | Watford FC | 37 | -42 | 23 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 37 | -56 | 22 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 22 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 21 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 18 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur | 16 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City | 15 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 15 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 15 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 14 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City | 13 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace | 13 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 12 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 12 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 11 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 11 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 11 |
| Pukki, Teemu | Norwich City | 11 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa | 11 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 10 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 10 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 10 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xhaka, Granit | Arsenal FC | 1 | 10 |
| Firpo, Junior | Leeds United | 0 | 11 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 10 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 10 |
| Bednarek, Jan | Southampton FC | 0 | 10 |
| Mings, Tyrone | Aston Villa | 0 | 10 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 10 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 10 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 9 |
| Moreno, Rodrigo | Leeds United | 0 | 9 |
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 9 |
| Mctominay, Scott | Manchester United | 0 | 9 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 8 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 0 | 8 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 7 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 8 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 7 |
| James, Daniel | Leeds United | 1 | 7 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 8 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 8 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 12 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 10 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 10 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City | 10 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur | 9 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 9 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 9 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City | 8 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 8 |
| Kulusevski, Dejan | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City | 7 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 7 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 7 |
| Mbeumo, Bryan | Brentford FC | 7 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 6 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 6 |
