Partey suffered ankle ligament damage in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Chelsea last week. The Ghanian is not expected to return for at least two weeks with this type of injury.

2020 was a tough opening season for Partey as he failed to light up the Emirates Stadium in a year where Arsenal finished ninth. This injury already puts his second season off to a similarly poor start.

Also in the Chelsea match, young English forward Nketiah sustained bruising to his right ankle. He is to be sidelined for at minimum a month before his leg has recovered.

This means that both players will miss the opening Premier League match against Brentford on Friday. Later this month they will also miss very important ties with Chelsea and later Manchester City. The pair will also be out of contention for the EFL Cup second-round match against the newly relegated West Bromich Albion.

The club is still unsure on center-back Gabriel’s return date after he injured his knee representing Brazil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Gabriel Magalhães on Instagram story, with team-mate Gabriel Martinelli’s Olympic gold medal at London Colney: “Thanks for letting me smell her brother hahahahaha ” [IG: _gabrielmagalhaes] #afc pic.twitter.com/XlQeqEKoP4

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 9, 2021

With Arsenal’s team seemingly depleted for their opening game on Friday, manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal still has plenty of business to do in the transfer window.

The club has already spent in the region of €75 million on three players: Ben White from Brighton, Albert Sambi Lokongo from Anderlecht, and Nuno Tavares from Benfica.

The club is also linked with a swap deal of Lautero Martinez from Inter Milan for aging striker Alexander Lacazette.

Speaking about their transfer business in a recent press conference, Arteta said:

“There is still a window to go, I’m sure things will happen in a way. I’m willing to work with the players I have at the moment and get the best out of them. We will see what we can do.

“We have ownership that are willing to invest in the team and they want to get the team better with bigger aims. But at the same time, we need to be careful because we want to be in a financial position that is sustainable for the club.”

Arsenal start their season away to newly-promoted Brentford at 20:00 on Friday, 13th August.

Thomas Partey models Arsenal’s third away kit for the 2021/22 season. #afc pic.twitter.com/sd2oPU2XmA

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 10, 2021

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Arsenal played Leicester at the Emirates in today’s late fixture. In the end, it was Leicester who emerged victorious as Arsenal failed to capitalize on their earlier chances.

Arsenal were at an advantage before the match had even kicked off. Leicester’s talisman striker Jamie Vardy was only named on the bench due to fitness concerns. They failed to make the advantage count, though, as Vardy came on as a substitute to haunt them. Out of all the clubs Vardy has faced in the Premier League, he’s netted the most goals against Arsenal. In total, he’s scored 11 times in just 12 games against them after his goal tonight.

In terms of Arsenal team news, Thomas Partey received his first Premier League start tonight. He played well midweek against Rapid Wein but failed to get involved in the match today and had very few touches compared to others. Thomas Partey had faced Leicester prior to the match, appearing as a sub against them in the 2016/17 Champions League season – a match which Leicester would go on to lose.

The first opportunity of the match didn’t take long to come by. James Maddison attempted a lob from distance just 1 minute in as Leno swept up from outside his box before reaching Maddison’s feet. Unfortunately for him though, his shot narrowly missed the target. It would have been one of the goals of the season if it had gone in.

In the 3^rd minute, Arsenal had the ball in the net and celebrations began. They wouldn’t last long as VAR then disallowed the goal. They adjudged that an offside Arsenal player had touched the ball on the way into the net, deeming the goal void.

The ball is in the back of the net…

But @LacazetteAlex‘s header is ruled out for offside

0-0 (4) #ARSLEI pic.twitter.com/VOXylmoHdY

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) OCTOBER 25, 2020

10 minutes in and David Luiz produced a brilliant through ball in behind the Leicester defence which Hector Bellerin ran onto. Johnny Evans did well though, the Northern Irishman closed down the space quickly and produced a superb block to alleviate the goalkeeper’s worries.

A series of half chances for Arsenal followed until the 28^th minute. Another exceptional crossfield ball by David Luiz went over the head of the Leicester defender before landing at the feet of Kieran Tierney. Tierney then took the ball inside the box before whipping a cross across the six-yard box. Alexandre Lacazette was there but it skimmed off him as he failed to connect properly, and went wide of the net.

32 minutes in and there was a bad challenge from Christian Fuchs on Alexandre Lacazette. Just a booking though, nothing more severe. Although, it could have easily been a red on another day. Fuchs can count himself lucky.

Other than that, Arsenal had a couple more half chances in a first half which they largely dominated. Leicester failed to get going as Arsenal controlled the vast majority of possession and squandered Leicester attacking moves. Brendan Rodgers would not have been happy with his team’s first half display.

David Luiz was forced off with injury just 3 minutes into the second half and replaced by Shkodran Mustafi. This would have disappointed Arsenal fans as he was the unlikely creative outlet for Arsenal during the first half.

Maddison once again attempted an extravagant shot in the 53^rd minute. This time, he shot from within his own half. Leno was comfortable though as he gathered easily. Just moments later, Maddison had another opportunity from just outside the box, his shot was blocked and went out for a corner. He took the resulting corner, but it was cleared on the first attempt by Arsenal before Lacazette gave away a free kick from outside the box. Maddison was the taker again but his shot sailed over the bar. After a quiet first half, Maddison was getting more and more involved in the second.

The moment many Leicester fans would have been waiting for occurred in the 59^th minute as Jamie Vardy came on to replace Dennis Praet. Leicester would have to increase their creative output if Vardy was to have any chance of scoring though. They relied on half chances up to his substitution and failed to get a shot on target.

Hector Bellerin, who was already on a yellow card, mistimed his challenge on James Justin completely in the 60^th minute. Like Fuchs, he could count himself lucky to still be on the pitch.

Should Hector Bellerin have been sent off? pic.twitter.com/SPmR9k3VBm

— 90min (@90min_Football) OCTOBER 25, 2020

Arsenal made their second change of the game in the 64^th minute as Nicolas Pepe replaced Bukayo Saka. Saka picked up a knock earlier in the half so that was likely a factor in his substitution.

67 minutes in and Arsenal fashioned their first opportunity of the second half. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drove to the byline before crossing to Bellerin who connected on the volley but his shot was straight at Kasper Schmeichel. A wasted opportunity.

Leicester made their 2^nd substitution of the night as Harvey Barnes was taken off for new signing Cengiz Under in the 74^th minute. Barnes had failed to make impact on the match so it was only a matter of time before he was subbed, really.

Although Arsenal had controlled much of the match, Leicester broke on 79 minutes and completely exposed the Arsenal backline. Two subs were involved as Under crossed into the path of who else but Jamie Vardy, who scored his 11^th goal against Arsenal. It wasn’t the hardest finish of his career as he headed into an open net, but he’ll take it nonetheless.

11/5 – Jamie Vardy has scored 11 goals in 12 Premier League matches against Arsenal, with only Wayne Rooney (12) scoring more against the Gunners in the competition. Vardy is now also the highest scoring away player at the Emirates in top-flight ties (5 goals). Snatched. pic.twitter.com/1xPrr4kdfL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) OCTOBER 25, 2020

Just after the goal, Tierney came off as he was replaced by Eddie Nketiah. Tierney was arguably Arsenal’s best player, but his dangerous crosses failed to lead to a goal. Arsenal had to chase the game after the goal so that’s likely one of the reasons as to why Tierney was taken off for a striker.

Leicester’s 3^rd and final substitution came in the 84^th minute as James Maddison was replaced by Marc Albrighton, who played a key role in their Premier League winning campaign.

There was 5 minutes of extra time but Arsenal failed to take advantage as Leicester held onto the win.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz (Mustafi 48′), Gabriel, Tierney (Nketiah 80′); Ceballos, Xhaka, Partey, Saka (Pepe 64′), Lacazette, Aubameyang

Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs, Castagne; Mendy, Praet (Vardy 59′), Justin, Tielemans, Barnes (Under 74′), Maddison (Albrighton 84′)

Jamie Vardy’s sixth #PL goal of the season earns Leicester the win#ARSLEI pic.twitter.com/90muZcgHd5

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2020

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Busy Deadline Day for Manchester United

All eyes were on the red side of Manchester on Monday evening following a shambolic defeat at the hands of Spurs. After being linked with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho all summer, Manchester United had to resort to plan B after Dortmund refused to budge on their asking price. Instead they opted for Uruguayan veteran striker Edinson Cavani on a one year deal. A terrific goal-scorer who may prove to be to a shrewd bit of business, but is he really what Man United need?

Even Jose Mourinho’s Spurs side managed to find the net six times on the weekend. And attacking flair is not something typically associated with a Mourinho side. Their defence looked out of place, a dreadful performance summed up by Spurs’ first goal of the game which saw Harry Maguire drag back his own player resulting in a concession. Porto left-back Alex Telles also signed on the dotted line at Old Trafford, adding some well-needed pace to the backline.

Partey Time at Arsenal

Meanwhile in London, Mikel Arteta finally got his man. Arsenal left it late, reluctant to pay Thomas Partey’s £45m release clause but finally gave in on deadline day. The Ghanaian has been playing in the Spanish capital for Atletico since 2015 and brings with him a prestigious reputation. A tough tackling defensive midfielder who may prove to be a pivotal signing for the Gunners by adding an extra layer of protection to a newly restructured Arsenal defence. Lucas Torreira moved in the opposite direction, joining Atletico.

Rest of the League Round-Up

Gareth Bale wasn’t alone in making a sentimental return to an old club in this window. Bale’s boyhood team Southampton signed Theo Walcott on a season-long loan deal from Everton. Walcott returns to Southampton after 14 years away from the club.

Leeds United rounded off their busy transfer window with the signing of Brazilian winger Raphinha on a four year deal from French side Rennes. An exciting signing for Leeds, with no shortage of attacking players for Marcelo Bielsa now to choose from.

Top of the table Everton further bolstered their squad with the acquisition of promising centre-back Ben Godfrey from Norwich City. On the back of some poor performances from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Ancelotti decided to bring in Roma keeper Robin Olsen on loan to increase the competition for the number one spot at Goodison Park.

The pressure was on Fulham at the other end of the table after a dreadful start to the new season. The addition of defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Joachim Andersen from Manchester City and Lyon will please fans. Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek also made the short trip to Fulham on a loan deal.

European Transfers

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling returned to Italy, signing permanently at Roma for a reported fee of £18m. Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick Kluivert, was amongst the outgoings at Roma, joining RB Leipzig on a season-loan. Elsewhere in Italy, Napoli agreed a loan deal with Chelsea for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

German sides Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim raided the Premier League with the signings of Matteo Guendouzi and Ryan Sessegnon. European champions Bayern Munich strengthened their attack with the double signing of Douglas Costa and Choupo-Moting. While in France, PSG struck a deal with Barcelona for midfielder Rafinha on a three year deal.

Finally, Irish international Josh Cullen packed his bags and headed for Belgium, joining Vincent Kompany’s Anderlecht side.

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