Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has issued an apology to his teammates and fans after receiving a needless red card in the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost 2-0 to Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday night, with Diogo Jota scoring a brace. Partey who was a second-half substitute was shown a second yellow after two bookable offences which were only three minutes apart.
The Ghanian was rushed back from a disappointing AFCON showing where his country crashed out of the competition in the group stages.
He was then placed on the bench for the tie against Liverpool having travelled back to London that same day.
Coming on as a sub, the 28-year-old lasted just 16 minutes on the pitch before he was given his marching orders.
Following the defeat, Partey took to social media to accept responsibility for the match lost and promised to work hard to turn things around.
“Am responsible for anything that happened and will take all the critiques, I should be more intelligent not to get in a challenge [when] already booked but this is my personality. I like to fight for every ball,” Partey said via Instagram.
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“I love this club and I love my country even though things sometimes don’t happen how I wanted, I would continue to work harder to make things right.
“I came back with the mentality to make myself available for the team to get to the final but it did not happen as planned.
“I will continue to give my all when I am on the field of play because this is my life and this is what I chose to do.
“Am not happy with all that happened yesterday and at the Afcon but I understand only with hard work things will change so I will continue to work hard to change this.”
Following the red card, Partey will have to serve a one-game suspension which means he will not be available for selection for Arsenal in their home fixture against Burnley on Sunday.
Partey is not the only Arsenal player serving a suspension for getting a red card. Granit Xhaka is also serving a suspension after being shown a straight red card in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
With the suspensions and injury concerns, Arsenal find themselves a bit light especially in the midfield compartment. They were forced to request their tie against Tottenham be postponed as they could not field enough players, a request which was accepted by the Premier League board.
However, Mikel Arteta has revealed that the club is looking to make some January signings to help address their lack of squad depth.
Arsenal have been linked with a loan deal for Arthur Melo who is reportedly willing to make the move away from Juventus. However, reports suggest the Italian side will be unwilling to part with the midfielder until they have signed a replacement of their own.
With their defeat to Liverpool, Arsenal are now out of every cup competition and will have to focus on the Premier League and their chances of finishing in the top four.
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