Arsenal ace Thomas Partey left out of Ghana squad after ‘confidential talks’ with manager | OneFootball

Ghana national team head coach Otto Addo has confirmed that Arsenal star Thomas Partey has been left out of the squad for November’s fixtures.

The Black Stars will face Angola and Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers as they ramp up their efforts to book a ticket to the continental showpiece.

Ghana have picked up just two points from four games and are still looking for their first win in the qualifiers, so the decision to axe one of their most experienced players is baffling.

“I had a confidential talk with Thomas,” Oddo said (via journalist Chris Wheatley).

“I am a coach who always likes to protect the players, so I hope for your understanding. We are always open for him to return.

“I hope that the things we talked about he will do better in, and that he will join the team maybe in the next window in March.”

Partey is just one game away from reaching a landmark 50 appearances for the Ghanaian national team and has scored 13 goals.

His immediate attention will turn to this weekend’s mouth-watering London derby against Chelsea, where Arsenal will be hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

The Gunners lost their most recent Premier League outing 1-0 against Newcastle United before falling to another defeat by an identical scoreline against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta’s side were considered one of the favourites to win the Premier League title this season and were expected to renew their rivalry with reigning champions Manchester City.

However, their third title bid hasn’t gone according to plan as they sit fifth in the table, level on points with Sunday’s opponents and seven points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.