Bad news for Arsenal? Injured Thomas Partey named in Ghana's provisional squad for AFCON 2023

Ghana manager Chris Houghton included the midfielder in his 55-man provisional group for the tournament, which kicks off on January 13. The squad will be cut down to 27 players by January 3 and then four more players will be cut before the tournament begins. If Partey makes the final cut, he could be absent for Arsenal until mid-February.

Partey has been out with a hamstring since October. He has made only four appearances in the Premier League this season, last coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes of his team's 1-0 win against Manchester City after shaking off a groin issue. He then went on to play for Ghana against Mexico and the United States later that month and has been sidelined ever since.

Partey is thought to be nearing a return for Arsenal and may be available as the year nears its end, but he is a big doubt for the clash against Liverpool on Saturday. Ghana coach Houghton says that Arsenal will not be able to prevent Partey from joining up with the national team if he is named in the squad, telling TalkSport: "I don't think it's a debate. It's a choice. We have an Africa Cup of Nations in the months of January, this is when a particular team, a particular country, want their players turning up for camp. They don't have a choice."

The 30-year-old midfielder will continue his recovery from injury and hope to be back in the Arsenal squad soon, with games against Liverpool, West Ham and Fulham coming up before the end of 2023.