Posted by Arsenal have left out Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey from their travelling squad for the preseason tour in the United States of America (USA).
The Gunners are due to travel to America on Sunday for a 10-day preseason tour, where they’ll intensify their preparations for the new season which begins in August with friendly games against MLS All-Stars, Manchester United and Barcelona.
Ahead of the trip, the Gunners have announced their traveling squad which is made up of 29 players, the list include new signings Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.
While there are plenty of exciting new names in the group, there are several notable absentees. Perhaps the biggest name not to travel is Thomas Partey who’s linked with a move away from the club.
Per a statement from the club, Partey together with Emile Smith Rowe whose vacation has been extended due to his involvement in the U-21 European Cup will join the rest of the team in America next week.
“We expect Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey to join us next week,” read the statement from Arsenal.
“The players who are not part of the squad will be working hard on their fitness and/or recovering from injury,” the statement added.
Partey’s exclusion from the squad comes as a surprise considering he featured in the club’s 1-1 pre-season friendly game against Nuremberg in Germany on Thursday. It as well intensifies reports linking him away from the club.
The 30-year old who has 2 years left on his current contract at the club has been being linked with a move to Juventus, Monaco and a number of Saudi Arabian clubs.
Per a report from multiple sources, Partey has agreed to join an unnamed Saudi Arabian side, thus the reason for his exclusion from the squad.
Full Arsenal preseason tour squad –
1 Aaron Ramsdale
2 William Saliba
3 Kieran Tierney
4 Ben White
6 Gabriel Magalhaes
7 Bukayo Saka
8 Martin Odegaard
9 Gabriel Jesus
11 Gabriel Martinelli
12 Jurrien Timber
13 Alex Runarsson
14 Eddie Nketiah
15 Jakub Kiwior
16 Rob Holding
18 Takehiro Tomiyasu
19 Leandro Trossard
20 Jorginho
21 Fabio Vieira
25 Mohamed Elneny
26 Folarin Balogun
27 Marquinhos
29 Kai Havertz
31 Karl Hein
32 Auston Trusty
35 Oleksandr Zinchenko
41 Declan Rice
45 Amario Cozier-Duberry
