'I made it quite clear' - Ghana boss speaks out after axing Thomas Partey from latest squad even though Arsenal midfielder 'wanted to come'

Partey was left out of his team's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches in October and he is once again absent from the squad for the matches against Angola and Niger later this month.

While the captain's absence last month was reportedly down to illness, he is currently fit and has started all of Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League matches this season, most recently playing the full 90 minutes against Inter on Wednesday. Addo has admitted that Partey wanted to be part of the team, but he has been left out for "confidential" reasons.

“I had a confidential talk with Thomas. I am a coach who always likes to protect the players, so I hope for your understanding," the Ghana boss said. "For me, the team is like family, I am not coming out with internal issues - but I made it quite clear to him. He wanted to come, he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he is not coming. Like I said, it’s confidential. It is difficult for me to mention all the things. It’s like that. We have to move on. Now, as you know, Thomas is not coming and it’s not a permanent thing, so we are always open for him to return. I hope that the things we talked that he will do better in that and that he will join the team maybe in the next window in March. I think he had a good perspective. We had a good talk and we are on good terms."

Partey may be disappointed to miss out on Ghana's next matches but will hope to shake off the disappointment as Arsenal prepare to face Chelsea on Sunday.