'Not in the squad': Mikel Arteta confirms €50m Arsenal star won't face Nottingham Forest

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that midfielder Thomas Partey won’t be in the matchday squad to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The €50 million signing made his much-awaited return to team training last week after a lengthy absence with a thigh issue. However, the manager has revealed that he won’t make tomorrow’s game.

Speaking in his press conference today, Arteta highlighted that Declan Rice has been partly involved in training and hinted that the club could make a late decision over his availability.

The Spaniard went on to mention that Partey won’t be part of the travelling group. The club are uncertain over a few players in the squad, but the Ghanaian star won’t be involved at City Ground.

He said live on Arsenal.com: “[on Rice] He’s done some work but he’s missed some work as well. Hopefully he’ll be OK. We’ve got some late decisions to make. Thomas won’t be one of those. We are still uncertain with a few players. Thomas is not in the squad.”

Meanwhile, the manager dismissed the shock speculation over him leaving the club for Barcelona this summer. He clarified that the news is ‘totally fake’ and he is ‘really upset’ over it.

He added: “No. That’s totally fake news. What I read yesterday I don’t know where it’s coming from. I’m really upset about it. I could not believe it. I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think we have to be very careful when you talk about personal things especially. I’m in the right place.”

Arsenal returned to winning ways earlier this month with a convincing 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League. They ended a losing streak of three games in all competitions.

They now need to build momentum with back-to-back wins in the top-flight such that they can reduce the five-point deficit to leaders Liverpool as well as pile the pressure on them.

They now need to build momentum with back-to-back wins in the top-flight such that they can reduce the five-point deficit to leaders Liverpool as well as pile the pressure on them.

The Gunners have been on the losing side in their last three trips to City Ground and Arteta will be hoping that his team can end the dreadful run to temporarily climb to second in the table.