Revealed: Why Thomas Partey snubbed call-up to Ghana national team

Thomas Partey has turned down a call-up to the Ghanaian national team as he continues to manage his workload after an extensive injury lay-off.

Partey started all three opening games of the Premier League season for Arsenal but has been hampered by various injuries since then.

The 30-year-old suffered a groin injury before having to undergo surgery on a serious thigh problem in November.

The midfielder was scheduled to return in early February but suffered a setback with the same injury.

Partey returned for his first minutes as a substitute in the 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United in early March but has played just 276 minutes of league football this season.

The Black Stars had called up the Arsenal player for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda but Partey is understood, according to the Metro, to have recused himself from national team selection as he attempts to reach full fitness.

He is not the only Gunners player to be staying in north London over the international break, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not played a minute for Arsenal since last month’s Asian Cup, not called up to the Japan squad.

David Raya hero as Arsenal secure Champions League quarter-final berth

David Raya was the hero as Arsenal reached the last eight of the Champions League via a penalty shootout.

In a nervy game in north London, in which the Gunners trailed 1-0 after the first leg, Leandro Trossard’s superbly worked goal brought them back on level terms.

Arsenal dominated possession and chances during the 90 minutes and thought they had done enough to earn a victory but Martin Odegaard’s goal was controversially ruled out for a foul by Kai Havertz in the build up.

The game went into extra-time but neither side seemed willing to commit men forward – before the game headed to a shootout.

David Raya, the villain in the first leg, was the hero as he made two brilliant save down to his left – to deny Wendell and Galeno – with all the Arsenal takers hit the target to progress into the last eight.

The Gunners are now into the Champions League draw later this week.

Photo Credit: ChampionsLeague/ X

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Brentford: Havertz, White, Rice, others impressive in home win

Arsenal left it late to defeat Brentford in a thrilling London derby at the Emirates.

Kai Havertz’s 86th minute header from a sumptuous Ben White cross sent the home fans delirious.

Earlier, the Gunners looked on course to secure a comfortable win when Declan Rice headed them into a 19th-minute lead.

But an Aaron Ramsdale howler after he slammed the ball against Yoane Wissa into his own net let the visitors back in.

However, they weren’t to be undone and managed to secure all three points thanks to the ex-Chelsea star’s late strike.

GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 7/10 – Several superb saves in the second half helped Arsenal to three vital points. Thankfully his error just before half time will not be what fans remember this loyal Gunners servant for in what could well be his final game in Arsenal colours.

RB: Ben White – 9/10 – Two assists for the Gunners Love Island Maldini as Benny Blanco has been christened. Another superb performance

CB: William Saliba – 8/10 – Kept Ivan Toney quiet

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – 7.5/10 – Dangerous going forward and solid at the back

LB: Jakub Kiwior – 6.5/10 – Progressing nicely after a shaky start to his Arsenal career

CM: Jorginho – 8/10 – Quietly effective and hugely efficient in the heart of battle

CM: Declan Rice – 8.5/10 – Another goal for Arsenal’s world class midfielder – with another outstanding performance on and off the ball, in and out of possession, in attack or defence.

CM: Martin Odegaard – 8/10 – Alwasy prompted his colleagues to attack with his silky skills, creativity and vision

RW: Bukayo Saka – 8/10 – Lively as ever

CF: Kai Havertz – 8.5/10 – As the song goes: Kai Havertz scored again…’ to make it four in four for the Gunners at a crucial time of the season

LW: Leandro Trossard – 6.5/10 – Not as effective as he would have liked but not for want of trying

Substitutes

SUB: Gabriel Jesus (70′ for Jorginho) – 7/10

SUB: Reiss Nelson (79′ for Trossard) – 7.5/10

SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (79′ for Kiwior) – 7/10

SUB: Thomas Partey (90′ for Odegaard) – N/A

Subs not used: Karl Hein (GK),

Cedric Soares,

Emile Smith Rowe,

Fabio Vieira,

Eddie Nketiah

Photo Credit: premierleague/ X

Kai Havertz spares Aaron Ramsdale blushes, scores late winner over Brentford

Kai Havertz spared Aaron Ramsdale’s blushes as Arsenal earned a statement win over Brentford which puts them top of the Premier League before title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Sunday.

Arsenal, looking to lead the table for the first time since December, went in front through Declan Rice’s flicked header.

The home side continued to dominate possession and Havertz skewed wide their best opportunity to go further ahead.

But, out of nowhere, the good work in an assured first-half performance was undone by Ramsdale’s error.

The England keeper, playing because David Raya was ineligible against his parent club, dallied over a clearance and allowed a sliding Yoane Wissa to score.

Arsenal pushed for a second-half winner without much luck until Havertz popped up in space to head in Ben White’s cross.

Havertz, who Brentford argued should have been shown a second yellow card for diving before he scored, netted in his fourth consecutive Premier League game to put Arsenal a point clear of Liverpool and two ahead of Manchester City.

It led to joyous celebrations at Emirates Stadium, although the Gunners know their title rivals have the chance to go back above them at Anfield on Sunday.

Photo Credit: premierleague/ X

Arsenal battle Chelsea for 20-year-old star

Arsenal are reportedly one of the teams interested in star defender Ousmane Diomande who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta’s side has been nothing short of phenomenal since the turn of the year but despite their relentless goalscoring form, it is their defence which has been the backbone of their stellar performances.

The Gunners boast the best defensive record in the league conceding just 23 league goals so far with only three of them coming in their last seven games.

There is an argument to say that William Saliba and Gabriel are the best defensive partnership in all of Europe but Arteta is reportedly keen on bolstering their defensive line further.

According to a report from Team Talk, the North London club are interested in Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and could make a move for the defender if Chelsea pulls out of the running.

After it was revealed that the Blues suffered a £90 million loss in last year’s accounts, questions have been asked about their ability to meet financial fair play rules.

With a plethora of young defenders already at the club, Chelsea may pull out of the running depending on sales in the upcoming summer window.

The 20-year-old centre-back is considered one of the most promising young defenders in Europe with Newcastle and Juventus also linked with the player.

Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong hints at Victor Osimhen’s next club

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong admitted he ‘knows’ where Chelsea and Arsenal target Victor Osimhen will play next season.

The Napoli star is widely expected to leave the Campania capital in the coming summer transfer window, with his new contract containing a €120-130m release clause. He’s already hinted that he’s decided his next step when speaking to the press last month.

The Napoli project has collapsed over the last six months, but Osimhen has still managed to shine despite the difficulties, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists across 20 appearances this term. At the recent Africa Cup of Nations, he scored once and provided three assists.

Speaking to Sky Sport via TMW, Troost-Ekong first discussed the struggles of his former clubs Salernitana and Udinese this season.

“I always follow Serie A, it’s a great league. This weekend with Salernitana-Udinese will be special for me, also because it was also the last match I played in my last season. The points would certainly be more useful to Salernitana than to Udinese.”

He remembered his time at Tottenham with Harry Kane.

“We started together 14 years ago and after training he always stayed on the pitch to try something else: shots, penalties, work with the goalkeepers.

“He always wanted to grow, and this ultimately led him to reach the top of the top. He is an example of the desire to improve and work harder.”

Finally, Troost-Ekong was asked if he knew where Osimhen would play next year.

“I really can’t tell you anything, but I know!”

Chelsea set to sign La Liga star, still target Premier League option

Chelsea are not happy with the performances of their summer signing Robert Sanchez and they are ready to replace him with Giorgi Mamardashvili, according to a report by HITC.

The Blues are ready to sanction the departure of Sanchez and then push for the signatures of the Valencia shot-stopper.

Chelsea have reportedly not rule out Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale despite their interest in Mamardashvili.

The London club were looking to reinforce their goalkeeping position in the last summer transfer window and that is why they ended up signing two shot-stopper before the start of the 2023/24 season.

Sanchez arrived from Brighton for a fee of £25 million to be their number one in goal. While he has been doing a decent job, the Blues are not really convinced that he can be their number one going forward.

As a result, they are ready to sanction his departure just a year after signing him. The Blues even acquired the services of Djordje Petrovic in the summer. The 24-year-old Serbian was used as a cover for Sanchez while he was out injured. But, the Blues don’t think he can be their number one.

The Blues have been on the lookout for a new goalkeeper of late and they seemed to have found an ideal candidate in Giorgi Mamardashvili. The 23-year-old Valencia shot-stopper has been putting in some impressive performances in goal in the recent past.

His consistent performances and huge potential have attracted Chelsea’s interest. His contract with the Spanish club runs until the summer of 2027 and Valencia are the ones in control, the Blues are still willing to battle it out for his signature.

(Watch Highlights) Arsenal flatten Newcastle, Arteta, Havertz, Howe react

Rampant Arsenal remained hot on the heels of the top two in the title battle with an emphatic 4-1 victory over a struggling Newcastle United side in the Premier League on Saturday at a rocking Emirates Stadium.

An own goal by Sven Botman and a simple Kai Havertz finish put the home side 2-0 up at the break following a siege on the Newcastle goal before Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior struck in the second half to comfortably wrap up the points.

Arsenal’s sixth successive Premier League victory this year took Mikel Arteta’s third-placed side to 58 points after 26 games, two behind leaders Liverpool and a point adrift of Manchester City, who earlier won 1-0 at Bournemouth.

“It’s crucial to win games and we have to put pressure on [Liverpool and Manchester City] and that is what we will do,” goalscorer Havertz told TNT Sports. “The fans give us so much energy that’s so important for us — it gives us a big boost.”

Arsenal opened the scoring after 18 minutes when the ball bounced off Newcastle defender Botman’s knee into his own goal following a goalmouth scramble after goalkeeper Loris Karius made a fine save from a Gabriel header at a corner.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 when Havertz tucked the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box following a cutback by Gabriel Martinelli on the right byline after a clever chipped pass from Jorginho left the Newcastle defence exposed again.

Arsenal’s domination was reflected in their 64% first-half possession with 12 goal attempts, including four on target, while Newcastle failed to register a shot in the opening period of a Premier League game for the first time since March 2014.

Saka put the game beyond the visitors with Arsenal’s third in the 65th, his 13th in the league this season, when he ran down the right and cut inside before firing into the far corner before Kiwior headed home a Declan Rice corner to make it 4-0.

Former Arsenal forward Willock got Newcastle on the scoresheet with a fine looping header into the far corner after 84 minutes following a pinpoint Dan Burn cross but by then it was all far to late for Eddie Howe’s floundering team.

Arsenal have scored 15 goals in their last three Premier League games and the win over Newcastle was the perfect tonic following their late 1-0 loss at Porto in a disappointing Champions League round-of-16 first-leg display in midweek.

“I think it was very important [to win] it was a tough game on Wednesday [in Portugal] and we wanted to win today — we did well today,” added Havertz.

The defeat leaves Newcastle in eighth place on 37 points.

“Arsenal were very good, we weren’t and we got punished,” said Howe. “We were off in most aspects of our games, we didn’t do the basics right.”

Photo Credit: premierleague/ x

Arsenal star set to return to Brazil

Arsenal defender Marquinhos is set to return to Brazil for a loan spell with Fluminense, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The 20-year-old signed from Sao Paulo in 2022 in a £3m deal but, after only starting three cup games in the first half of last season, he was loaned to Championship side Norwich City for the remainder of that campaign and then French club Nantes last summer.

After seven Ligue appearances for Nantes (only one of them a start), Marquinhos was recalled from his loan last month just before joining up with Brazil’s U23 squad for the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela.

Now he is set to continue playing in South America for Fluminense, who are preparing the paperwork for the move to be completed.

Photo Credit: X

Club manager confirms summer move for Chelsea target

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has told Danish outlet Tipsbladet that striker Ivan Toney is almost certain to leave the club this summer.

Toney, 27, has been linked with most of the Premier League’s top clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, and is about to move into the final year of his contract.

Brentford will demand a huge transfer fee for the England international, though perhaps won’t get the £100m that Frank believes the striker is worth.

“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,” Frank said. “We also know what he is worth.

“I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.

“He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team.

“This winter we actually had no offers for him, but it will surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs that will be interested in him.”