LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Thomas Partey of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 15, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Unscathed: Arsenal ready for Premier League title push after international break
The last international break of the season has come to an end, and thankfully, Arsenal have come through the occasion relatively unscathed.
Mikel Arteta would have been desperate to avoid any major injury blows during the break, and the Spaniard can now relax knowing that his players will return to North London in good health and can now turn their full attention to their Premier League title chase.
Arsenal avoid any major injury blows during the international break
That Saka strike 💥 pic.twitter.com/AoVyhGaUzg
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 26, 2023
THAT Rodri tackle
While the players have returned injury-free, two incidents, in particular, would have worried anyone connected to the club. The first of which was that terrible tackle from Manchester City midfielder Rodri on our captain Martin Odegaard.
With Odegaard clutching his ankle, it was a real heart-in-mouth situation for every fan watching at home. Fortunately, the 24-year-old suffered no lasting damage. However, the tackle was still extremely dangerous and raised suspicions that perhaps the Spanish playmaker had the intention of injuring the Norwegian for the benefit of his club side. That’s just speculation, of course.
The most important takeaway was the fact that Odegaard is okay, and will be available for selection against Leeds United on April 1.
Minor Thomas Partey concern
While Odegaard is fit and ready to go, there are question marks over the injury status of Thomas Partey. The 29-year-old was absent from Ghana’s recent clash with Angola, but there’s reason to believe that the injury may not be a serious one.
Speaking after the game, Ghana manager Chris Hughton revealed that the midfielder’s injury was not a major concern.
“Thomas has some small issues. We felt it was too big of a risk to start him.”
Given that a club physio travelled with the Ghanian, it is entirely possible that Houghton simply did the club a favour and opted to rest Partey to ensure he was fit and ready to play for Arsenal when Premier League action returns.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/AoVyhGaUzg
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/29/unscathed-arsenal-ready-for-premier-league-title-push-after-international-break/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1640074363310419978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 26, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>THAT Rodri tackle</h2>
<p>While the players have returned injury-free, two incidents, in particular, would have worried anyone connected to the club. The first of which was that <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/29/unscathed-arsenal-ready-for-premier-league-title-push-after-international-break/"https://twitter.com/Kim1ofafrica_/status/1639836609515339778" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terrible tackle</a> from Manchester City midfielder Rodri on our captain Martin Odegaard.</p>
<p>With Odegaard clutching his ankle, it was a real heart-in-mouth situation for every fan watching at home. Fortunately, the 24-year-old suffered no lasting damage. However, the tackle was still extremely dangerous and raised suspicions that perhaps the Spanish playmaker had the intention of injuring the Norwegian for the benefit of his club side. That’s just speculation, of course.</p>
<p>The most important takeaway was the fact that Odegaard is okay, and will be available for selection against Leeds United on April 1.</p>
<h2>Minor Thomas Partey concern</h2>
<p>While Odegaard is fit and ready to go, there are question marks over the injury status of Thomas Partey. The 29-year-old was absent from Ghana’s recent clash with Angola, but there’s reason to believe that the injury may not be a serious one.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/29/unscathed-arsenal-ready-for-premier-league-title-push-after-international-break/"https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/thomas-partey-injury-latest-ghana-arsenal-fc-2023-b1070332.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking</a> after the game, Ghana manager Chris Hughton revealed that the midfielder’s injury was not a major concern.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Thomas has some small issues. We felt it was too big of a risk to start him.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Given that a club physio travelled with the Ghanian, it is entirely possible that Houghton simply did the club a favour and opted to rest Partey to ensure he was fit and ready to play for Arsenal when Premier League action returns.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/29/unscathed-arsenal-ready-for-premier-league-title-push-after-international-break/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Premier League returns </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-132602" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/29/unscathed-arsenal-ready-for-premier-league-title-push-after-international-break/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2490,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1469526414.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2490" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469526414.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469526414-768x598.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Mikel Arteta’s squad came out of the international break unscathed. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Focus turns to the Premier League</h2>
<p>With the international break now over, attention must now turn back to the Premier League, as the 2022/23 campaign approaches its final chapter. In the slight chance that you have forgotten, Arsenal currently sit atop the Premier League table, eight points clear of their closest rivals, albeit having played a game more.</p>
<p>The Gunners’ next three fixtures consist of a home match against Leeds United, which is followed by consecutive away trips to Anfield and then to West Ham United.</p>
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<p>Arteta and the team can now go into those games full of confidence knowing that the manager has almost his entire squad to choose from. It’s bound to be nervy, and I don’t think I’m quite ready yet!</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
