Partey starts for Arsenal against Rapid Vienna in Europa League
|Thomas Partey has been named in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the first time since joining the club.
The 27 year old was named on the bench last weekend when Arsenal played Manchester City at the Etihad and came on for the last 12 minutes of the game. He had only completed one full training session prior to the game against City but has had more time to adjust to his new surroundings. In his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta said that he believed Partey was ready to start against Rapid Vienna.
Leno retains his place in goal for Arsenal’s opening match in the Europa League. Many believed new signing Alex Runarsson would make his debut for the club but Arteta has stuck with his first choice goalkeeper.
Apart from the inclusion of Thomas Partey, the Arsenal manager has made five changes to the side that played against Pep Guardiola’s team last weekend. Alexander Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny, Sead Kolasinac and Cedric Soares are all starting for the Gunners today.
Shkodran Mustafi has been named on the bench for today’s game and could make his first appearance of the season if called upon during the game. He has recovered from an injury that he suffered in the closing stages of the FA Cup semi final against Manchester City in July.