Arsenal’s African midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny have been ruled out of their Premier League game against Leeds United.
Elneny, who went on the international break to his native Egypt tested positive for coronavirus while Partey missed Ghana’s AFCON qualifying matches against Sudan, due to a thigh injury he picked up against Aston Villa.
“Tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Egypt.
Mo is asymptomatic and following protocols ahead of returning to training. He is unavailable for this weekend’s fixture,” the Arsenal website said on Elneny.
On Partey, the website said; “Left thigh. Thomas was replaced at half time during the match against Aston Villa and has sustained a strain to his left thigh.
Although he continues to be assessed, he will not be available for this weekend’s match and will continue his rehabilitation.”
The midfield enforcer was a €45m signing from Atletico Madrid and has warmed his way into the hearts of many Arsenal faithful.
Elneny and Partey have risen and fallen this season in the Gunners midfield, posting great performances as Arsenal defeated Manchester United at home. In a reversal of events, a shambolic display by the duo against Aston Villa culminated in a 3-0 whitewash for the North Londoners.
Arsenal’s Gabonese captain, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will however feature against Leeds as he hopes to put a dramatic show in The Gambia behind him. Aubameyang, who’s also captain of the Gabon national team was subjected to sleeping on the bare floor at the Banjul Airport when he and his Gabonese team mates travelled to play an AFCON qualifying game.
Ivorian winger, Nicolas Pepe is also fit for the fixture.