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​Arsenal manager Arteta insists he didn't risk Partey ahead of Spurs clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not too concerned about the fitness of midfielder Thomas Partey.

The Gunners emerged with an impressive 3-0 win against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

As they prepare for a key Premier League game against Tottenham at the weekend, Arteta touched on the fitness of Partey, who played in both their weekend league game and in midweek against Wimbledon.

"Yes, he hasn't played a lot of minutes since he has been injured," Arteta told reporters when asked if he always planned to give Partey 60 minutes in the Carabao Cup game.

"We believe the rhythm of the matches is nothing like any training session and so he needed to play and it was very beneficial.

"We didn't think (it was a risk) that is why we decided to play him but it is always a risk when you have a match or training sessions at the level of intensity we train at.

"We believe it was the right thing to do and he was really pushing for it so I think it worked out well."

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Ansser Sadiq

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