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‘Partey injury no surprise, it’s an Arsenal thing’ – Campbell sees frustration as nothing new
The big-money summer signing at Emirates Stadium has been laid low after making a bright start to his time in the Gunners’ engine room
Thomas Partey’s untimely injury, which has come on the back of a bright start to life in England, should come as no surprise, says Kevin Campbell, with such issues considered to be “an Arsenal thing”.
The Gunners moved late in the summer transfer window to snap up a midfielder that had been registering on their recruitment radar for some time.
Patience in north London finally paid off when a £45 million ($59m) deal was done with Atletico Madrid on deadline day.
Partey was tipped by many to make an immediate impact at Emirates Stadium, with his obvious qualities earning comparisons to Arsenal icons from the past such as Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva.
The Ghana international has delivered on that big billing, slotting seamlessly into the fold.
Early optimism has, however, been countered by an unfortunate knock.
He lasted just 45 minutes in a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa before being forced from the field with a thigh complaint.
Partey has been denied the opportunity to link up with his country during the November break in domestic duty as a result, with the 27-year-old taking in a much-needed rest.
Campbell believes such setbacks are typical for Arsenal, with the Gunners still scratching around for a reversal in fortune after handing their managerial reins to Mikel Arteta.
Partey appears capable of playing a leading role in a bid to bring the good times back to Emirates Stadium, but he will be disappointed and frustrated at recent goings on.
“These things happen in football, sadly,” Campbell told Football Insider of events on and off the field at Arsenal.
“I am sure Thomas Partey would have been shocked by the performance against Aston Villa.
“The frustrating thing is that this guy was virtually ever-present at Atletico. He rarely suffered injury but the Premier League is a different kettle of fish and this is something Arsenal have to deal with.
“It’s an Arsenal thing – you have just signed a top player, he plays well and he gets injured.”
Arsenal are still waiting to discover whether Partey will be ready to step back into their side when they take in a trip to Leeds on November 22.
