February 25th 2023.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) The top side in the Premier League, Arsenal, visited Leicester City on Saturday and Mikel Arteta has explained why he opted to put Eddie Nketiah on the bench for the Premier League matchup and gave an update on Thomas Partey.
Nketiah had been a regular feature in the Arsenal team since the World Cup, as primary striker Gabriel Jesus was still out with a knee injury.
In the six matches after the World Cup, Nketiah tallied six goals but had gone without a goal for five games before the team's trip to the King Power Stadium.
For the game, Arteta made one change to the team that had just beaten Aston Villa 4-2 by bringing in Gabriel Martinelli in lieu of Nketiah and starting January signing Leandro Trossard as a striker.
In order to explain why Nketiah was not in the starting lineup, Arteta commented that “we need everyone fresh” as “[Eddie] has been carrying a little thing in the last few games too and Leandro [Trossard] has been doing really well.”
On the matter of Nketiah's niggle, Arteta said it wasn't serious and that they want all players to be at their best.
Currently, Arsenal are two points ahead of Manchester City, the defending champions, prior to their match with Leicester City.
Thomas Partey, a key midfielder, had missed the past two games due to a muscular injury, but was present in the matchday squad and started from the bench.
Arteta expressed his contentment with Partey's return, saying “He’s done very little in training to be fair but he’s been pushing to be involved, we’re really happy to have him.”
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