Thomas Partey starting vs Wimbledon the key to derby day success?

Thomas Partey starting vs Wimbledon the key to derby day success?

We’re a few days out from the first North London derby of the season (not including pre-season of course). What a massive match we have in store. We all know how important this is for Mikel Arteta, but to be fair it is probably just as crucial for Nuno Espirito Santo and Spurs.

Arsenal come into the match fresh off a massive performance at Burnley and a good win against Wimbledon in the cup. Some much needed game time was given to some fringe players; whilst Tottenham crawled over the line after extra time, and penalties with a full strength line up.

The big talking points for Arsenal were the lack of youth players (noticeably Charlie Patino), and Thomas Partey in the starting line up.

Many fans on twitter and around the circles were very critical of Arteta’s decision to start Partey, citing such an unnecessary risk of injury. Why play your most important player as he is coming back from injury in a game that really should be so comfortable?

In my opinion however Mikel Arteta and the coaching staff got this one absolutely spot on. In fact I believe it will also dramatically improve our play going forward. As a physiotherapist myself this opinion has medical backing, and I’m going to do my best to explain how important this decision could prove to be.

With elite athletes there are multiple factors we have to consider when rehabbing and looking at a return to play. The first important part to recognise is that healing times are no longer set in stone. It is not an entirely biological process with exact timeframes. We are looking at a Biopsychosocial approach to returning Thomas Partey back to full fitness.

From a medical stand point:

  1. The medical team must ensure that the acute structural damage and inflammation is healing to the point where the ligaments are structurally strong enough to tolerate movement, exercise, and football specifically.
  2. Once we get to that point we have to focus on loading the ankle, and returning to a pre injury level of load. In this case can Partey’s ankle not just tolerate movement and football, but can it sustain this for long periods and through more highly forceful and stressful positions.
  3. At the same time as we are focusing on load to the ankle, we must also think about the rest of the body. The musculature surrounding the ankle will have weakened, lost power, speed and timing. Aerobically Partey’s fitness will have also suffered.
  4. Psychologically Thomas Partey needs to feel confident and comfortable that his ankle is recovered and that he is not going to reinjure the ankle or aggravate any lingering inflammation or damage. Confidence is key to returning to high performance levels.

Only once all of the above has been monitored and overcome can we be overly happily at the state of the athlete’s injury and how they will fare long term. Now point 1 above is something that must be overcome to return to football in the first place. However points 2, 3 and 4 all come in time and only truly recover fully with match play and multiple matches at that.

The decision to play Thomas Partey vs Wimbledon, has pushed him further along his rehab pathway. Crucially this means that performance levels will also improve ahead of the NLD. Mikel Arteta and the medical team have not only increased and improved Partey’s load tolerance to the ankle but also improved match fitness. This increase will only add quality to Thomas Partey’s performance this weekend particularly as we head into the second half.

He hasn’t played a lot of minutes since he’s been injured. We believe the rhythm of matches is nothing like any training session. I think it was very beneficial for him.

Mikel Arteta

Big decisions and risks often have high rewards that come with them. I think it’s fairly safe to say that Arsenal will certainly come out of this one with massive gains and growth.

Bring on the North London Derby!!!! I’ll be there 4.30am Monday morning in my neck of the woods. Those heading to the game – enjoy and support the lads. Feel free to post some videos from the crowd on my post too if possible. My dream is to get to a match one day! Bring on a post Covid world with travel and football!

Kia Kaha everyone.