Thomas Partey, Arsenal’s midfield anchor, found himself unexpectedly dropped from the Ghana national squad this week, following a decision by manager Otto Addo that has now been attributed to disciplinary issues.
The exclusion, previously described as a result of “internal matters,” has been clarified as a deliberate move to strengthen team discipline.
Partey, 31, had been set to lead his national team in upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
However, sources close to the Ghanaian camp suggest that Addo’s decision stems from a prior incident involving Partey’s withdrawal from two crucial AFCON qualifiers last month against Sudan, which ended in a 0-0 draw and a 2-0 loss.
At the time, Partey cited illness as his reason for staying in London, a move that reportedly frustrated the Ghanaian management, who had expected the midfielder to join the squad for further medical assessment.
To Addo’s chagrin, Partey was declared fit in time to feature in Arsenal’s subsequent Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, raising questions regarding his commitment to international duty.
The Ghanaian boss has since met with Partey, previously slated to captain the side, in an effort to clear the air. During a press conference earlier this week, Addo addressed Partey’s absence while remaining tight-lipped about the specific nature of their discussions.
“I had a confidential talk with Thomas,” Addo said. “I always like to protect my players, and I hope for your understanding. The team is like family, and I won’t come out with internal issues, but I made it clear why he is not here.”
While Addo insisted the door remains open for Partey’s return, the timing of the decision is crucial. Ghana currently sit third in their AFCON qualifying group, trailing behind Sudan by five points, and are at risk of missing out on the tournament for the first time since 2004.
In Partey’s absence, Crystal Palace‘s Jordan Ayew has been named captain for the qualifiers, marking a significant leadership shift in a squad struggling to reclaim its once formidable stature.
Partey’s situation leaves a lingering shadow over his international future, though his position at Arsenal remains unfortunately solid. Despite his omission from the national setup, the Ghanaian has been a dependable figure for Mikel Arteta this season, appearing in 15 matches across all competitions.
Nevertheless, the situation reveals the delicate balance between club and country commitments, one that has often caused friction in Partey’s career.
Ghana’s insistence on his participation, even while unwell, clashes with Arsenal’s need to carefully manage the player through a physically demanding schedule. Whether Addo’s gamble pays off by reinstating discipline in the Ghana camp, or whether it backfires by losing a key talent at a pivotal moment, remains to be seen.
Addo, for now, appears hopeful. “This is not a permanent thing. We had a good talk, and we are on good terms. I hope Thomas will do better in the areas we discussed, and maybe he will join us in March.”
The door may be ajar, but it is now up to Partey to find his way back in.