Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has fumed over Thomas Partey’s decision to leave the pitch injured, during their 2-0 defeat against Tottenham.
The Ghana international just returned from a thigh injury to start the North London Derby on Sunday.
However, the Partey walked over to the touchline during the build-up to Harry Kane’s goal that put Tottenham 2-0 up in the clash and had to be replaced by Dani Ceballos immediately.
After the game, Arteta confirmed Party would have an MRI, but said the midfielder had to stay on the pitch during the attack from Spurs.
“I applaud their first goal, it is world class, but the second goal we were a man down, we left a massive gap and they took advantage,” Arteta told the BBC.
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“He [Thomas Partey] has to stay on the pitch. It looks like the same injury he has already had, he will have an MRI.”
“Thomas is out, he’s limping, he’s in pain, he has to come off and we lost a man in that crucial transition moment,” the Arsenal boss told Sky Sports. “He has to fall on the floor.
“I wanted him on the pitch, doing whatever he could for the team in that situation. No one expected him not to be in that position.”
Partey had been out of action since he was substituted during Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.