ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE
After chasing me from the club, I’ve promised never to return again, but what Mikel Arteta told me yesterday after Martin Zubimendi’s blunder yesterday has really changed my mind”: Thomas Partey reveals what Mikel Arteta told him after Zubimendi’s blunder against Manchester United yesterday
Thomas Partey is reportedly giving serious thought to a dramatic return to Arsenal’s midfield plans after watching events unfold during the club’s damaging defeat to Manchester United — a match defined by Martin Zubimendi’s costly blunder and the fallout that followed at the Emirates.
The Ghanaian international, who has endured a frustrating period marked by injuries, uncertainty over his future, and reduced influence under Mikel Arteta, is understood to have watched the Manchester United clash closely. What he saw, sources close to the player suggest, has reignited his belief that he still has an important role to play at the club.
Zubimendi, drafted in to add control and composure at the base of midfield, endured a torrid afternoon. His mistake in the build-up to United’s opening goal not only shifted the momentum of the game but exposed Arsenal’s lingering vulnerability in defensive transitions. Misplaced positioning, hesitation under pressure, and a lack of recovery pace allowed United to pounce — and the Emirates never fully recovered from the shock.
For Partey, it was a painful but familiar sight.
Those close to the former Atlético Madrid midfielder say he felt a mix of frustration and vindication. Frustration at seeing Arsenal undone in an area he believes he understands better than anyone else at the club, and vindication in the sense that the very problems he once helped solve have resurfaced in his absence.
When fully fit, Partey was the midfield fulcrum around which Arteta’s system evolved. His ability to shield the back line, receive the ball under pressure, and break opposition lines with disguised passes allowed Arsenal to dominate matches territorially and tactically. Even critics of his fitness record rarely questioned his football intelligence or positional discipline.
Zubimendi’s error against United reopened that debate.
Inside the club, there is said to be growing concern about balance. Declan Rice has often been forced to cover more ground than ideal, while Arsenal’s build-up play has lacked the calm authority needed in high-pressure moments. Against United, that absence was glaring. One mistake became a symbol of a wider structural issue — and Partey noticed.
Sources suggest Partey believes he can still offer Arsenal something different, particularly in big matches where experience and positional awareness matter as much as energy. He is not seeking guaranteed starts, but rather a defined role that plays to his strengths and protects him physically — something he feels has been missing in recent months.
The timing is intriguing.
With Arsenal facing scrutiny over recruitment decisions and Arteta under pressure to stabilise performances in key fixtures, the idea of reintegrating an experienced figure like Partey has quietly resurfaced. The Manchester United defeat has intensified internal conversations about reliability in central midfield, especially when margins are thin.
Partey is said to be open to discussions. He has no desire to leave under a cloud, and those around him insist his commitment to the club has never wavered despite speculation about exits and reduced minutes. In fact, the Zubimendi incident has reportedly strengthened his resolve rather than diminished it.
From Arteta’s perspective, the dilemma is complex. Trusting Partey again would require managing his workload carefully and balancing long-term planning with immediate results. Yet the United match highlighted the cost of inexperience in decisive moments — something Partey has navigated throughout his career at the highest level.
Fans remain divided. Some see Partey as part of the past, a player whose injuries have stalled Arsenal’s progress. Others argue that discarding his experience too quickly has left the team exposed in exactly the kind of matches that define seasons.
What is clear is that Zubimendi’s mistake has triggered more than post-match criticism. It has reopened questions about leadership, reliability, and whether Arsenal have moved on too fast from players who once gave them control in chaos.
As Arsenal regroup and look ahead, Thomas Partey’s name — once fading into the background — is quietly returning to relevance. Not through headlines or statements, but through the simple reality that football, especially at the elite level, has a way of reminding clubs what they miss when pressure hits hardest.
Whether Arteta acts on it remains to be seen. But after Manchester United, the door that seemed firmly shut may no longer be completely closed.
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ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE
Mikel Merino will undergo surgery on a stress fracture on his foot today. Although Arsenal has not put a timeline on his recovery, he is expected to be out until the end of the season, but the player hopes to be fit for the World Cup
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Update: Mikel Merino
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt
Mikel Merino has undergone surgery on a foot injury as the Arsenal midfielder begins a lengthy recovery process.
The midfielder picked up the issue late in the defeat to Manchester United last month, when he came off the bench and scored.
Merino was sent to see specialists to determine the severity of the problem, and it was discovered that surgery would be required on a bone injury in his right foot.
That procedure took place on Monday, with Merino taking to Instagram to share a picture from his hospital bed.
Merino posted: “Surgery done! Already closer to be back.
“Thank you so much to everyone for your messages and love. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge. Vamos!”
Declan Rice said in reply: “With you brother.”
Martin Zubimendi, meanwhile, paid tribute to his Spanish team-mate by copying his celebration and pointing to the stands when scoring against Sunderland on Saturday.
Merino’s father recently confirmed that his son had suffered a stress fracture to his foot, an injury that Mikel Arteta has described as “very rare”.
Merino now faces a race to return to action before the end of the season and keep his World Cup hopes alive.
Arsenal hope that Merino will be fit to feature in May in the final weeks of the campaign, in what could be the decisive period for the club’s trophy hopes domestically and in Europe.
Asked if he expected Merino to play again this season, Arteta said: “Well, we hope so.
“I don’t know. Obviously, he needs to go through a procedure, which is never always positive. He’s a big player for us.
“An athlete that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions. Yeah, that’s a big blow.
“Let’s see. It’s a very rare injury, so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery. How that reacts daily.”
ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE
Gallery The best training snaps ahead of Sunderland clas Cristhian Mosquera tries to tackle Martin Zubimendi in training
We face Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and you can see what we’ve been up to at the Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of the contest with our latest training gallery.
We’ll be looking to continue our positive form having won our last three matches across all competitions, including a late 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last time out.
Our most recent Premier League game saw us thrash Leeds United 4-0, a result which extended our lead at the top of the table to six points.
To see how we’ve been preparing for our clash with the Black Cats, flick through our training gallery below, captured by club photographer Stuart MacFarlane:
Read more
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Copyright 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
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ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE
Here’s the latest confirmed info on the Arsenal vs Manchester City Carabao Cup final (2025-26 EFL/Carabao Cup):
ardiola seeks rule change to make Guehi eligible for League Cup final
Manchester City beat Newcastle to set up League Cup final against Arsenal
Today
Today
📅 Date & Kick-off
The Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City is scheduled for Sunday, 22 March 2026 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. �
Wikipedia
Kick-off is expected to be around 4:30 pm GMT (16:30 GMT), although final broadcaster confirmation may adjust this slightly. �
The Standard
🏆 Match Context
Arsenal reached the final by beating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in their semi-final. �
Reuters
Manchester City progressed with a 5-1 aggregate win over Newcastle United. �
Sky Sports
📺 How to Watch
In the UK the final is expected to be shown on Sky Sports and free-to-air via ITV/ITVX, with pre-match coverage typically starting about an hour before kick-off. �
The Standard
📰 Team News & Injury Updates
Arsenal
Mikel Merino is a major doubt for the final as he’s expected to be out for an extended period undergoing foot surgery. �
Yahoo Sports UK
Decisions like goalkeeper choice (Kepa Arrizabalaga vs David Raya) may hinge on form later in the season. �
Yahoo Sports UK
Arsenal’s squad situation could evolve through Premier League and European fixtures between now and March.
Manchester City
Key players such as Josko Gvardiol are likely to miss the final due to injury. �
Yahoo Sports UK
Some others – including John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho – are expected to be available. �
Yahoo Sports UK
Marc Guehi is currently ineligible to play in the final under competition rules after appearing for another club earlier in the tournament; Pep Guardiola has publicly questioned this rule. �
Reuters
⚠️ Note: Team news and injury status will be clearer closer to matchday as clubs confirm their squads, fitness, and starting line-ups.
📌 Summary
Final: Arsenal vs Manchester City (Carabao Cup final)
Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Kick-off: ~4:30 pm GMT (subject to broadcaster confirmation)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London �
The Standard +1
If you want the local kickoff time for your time zone (Abuja/Nigeria) or predictions for the starting line-ups once confirmed, just let me know!
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