Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will have an MRI scan this weekend after being injured in the FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Manchester City.
Partey was replaced at half-time in Friday night’s loss as he was replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Ghanaian, who has been an influential part of their season, was in “some discomfort”.
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The Independent’s Miguel Delaney and the Press Association’s Simon Peach discuss Arsenal fan reaction to the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup
Arteta said: He had some discomfort and it got worse and worse.
“He was uncomfortable to continue. (Saturday) or the day after he will have an MRI scan and see what he has.
“We have the injury of Mo (Elneny) at the moment. It is not possible to get him fit. (Albert) Sambi came in and did well.
“It’s true Thomas is a great influence and a great personality and in the second half we didn’t have him.”
The Gunners are looking for a new midfielder before the transfer window closes and any serious injury to the 29-year-old could speed up those plans before Tuesday’s deadline, with Mohamed Elneny currently injured.
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Sky Sports reporter Michael Brick details Arsenal’s £60m bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo
Arsenal had a £60m bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected on Friday.
The south coast club insist Caicedo is not for sale in the January transfer window, but Arsenal remain interested and have decided whether to go back with an improved offer.
Late on Friday night, the Ecuador international released a social media post asking Brighton to take a ‘huge opportunity’ following Arsenal’s £60m bid.
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Roberto De Zerbi says he spoke to Moises Caicedo as a father, rather than a coach, and is hoping he will stay with Brighton until the end of the season
Asked about a move for the 21-year-old after the defeat at City, Arteta replied: “You know I won’t comment on any players until something is done, and I will continue like that.”
Asked if Arsenal hoped to be busy in the coming days, the Spaniard replied: “We have been pretty active in the market.
“We have some needs and if something else is available, the club is ready to try to do it when it is reasonable and hopefully there is a player who can improve our team.”
Keane: I expected more from Arsenal at City
Arsenal’s Rob Holding (left) challenges Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the FA Cup fourth-round clash
Roy Keane says he “expected more” from Arsenal in their 1-0 FA Cup defeat at City and branded their performance “disappointing”.
The north London side are top of the Premier League, five points ahead of City but they were beaten by Nathan Ake’s second-half winner in the first meeting between the two sides this season.
Arteta, however, made six changes from last weekend’s Premier League win over Manchester United, while City made just two as they included the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne in their starting XI.
Former Manchester United midfielder Keane tells ITV: “It was difficult to gauge Arsenal tonight because of the team they put out.
“Looking at the starting line-up, you can sense it’s not their priority. They want to win the Premier League title.
“But I know the players will be down for the next few days because they don’t want to beat.
“They will recover and if they want to go on to win the league, they will say they have to sacrifice this game, but when you make so many changes, especially defensively, you send the message that you are not that bothered – which is not a good thing. Message to send.
“I expected more from Arsenal tonight but they were disappointed.”
Pep: Arsenal will change things in title race
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola embraces his former assistant and now Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that City’s 1-0 win will have any impact on the Premier League title race.
The Spaniard admitted his former assistant Mikel Arteta’s tactics surprised him as Arsenal’s man-to-man marking interrupted City’s run.
“It was a tight game, a difficult opponent,” said Guardiola. “The second half was better apart from 10 minutes after the goal.
“I didn’t expect the approach, the man-to-man. It made the process difficult. In the second half we had to contact more than usual with Erling (Haaland), that’s what we have to do. But it is A victory, the next round, we will see what we have to do.”
City travel to the Emirates on February 15 in the Premier League, but Guardiola said he did not think the result would have any bearing.
He said: “I’m pretty sure both teams will want to adjust something.
“I have the feeling now they are going to do something else.”
Keane: It will take a lot to stop City
Nathan Ake (right) celebrates his second half winner against Arsenal with Jack Grealish
Guardiola’s side have now won their last three games after suffering back-to-back defeats earlier this month.
Keen told ITV: “Pep Guardiola criticized his players a few weeks ago, but they responded well.
“These boys have been regular winners in recent years so they are used to it. It will take a lot to stop them.
“What we saw tonight is the experience that Manchester City has shown in the last few years, knowing how to win games.
“There was one real run from Arsenal and they were punished for it.
“It’s good to win matches when you’re not at your best and there’s a lot more to come from City. They weren’t at their best tonight but in the FA Cup it’s about getting the job done.”
