Arsenal: Ghana explain Thomas Partey absence after 'confidential' talk | OneFootball

Gunners star left out of 25-man squad for AFCON qualification double-header

Ghana boss Otto Addo has refused to reveal why he axed Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey from his latest squad.

Partey was left out of the 25-man squad named by Addo on Thursday for games this month against Angola and Niger.

Jordan Ayew will captain Ghana in his absence, with Addo revealing Partey had been left out after a “confidential talk” between the pair.

Partey missed Ghana’s games last month due to illness, but he was fit and available for selection this time around.

“I had a confidential talk with Thomas,” said Addo. “I am a coach who always likes to protect the players, so I hope for your understanding.

“For me, the team is like family, I am not coming out with internal issues - but I made it quite clear to him.

“He wanted to come, he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he is not coming. Like I said, it’s confidential. It is difficult for me to mention all the things. It’s like that. We have to move on.

“Now, as you know, Thomas is not coming and it’s not a permanent thing, so we are always open for him to return. I hope that the things we talked that he will do better in that and that he will join the team maybe in the next window in March.

“I think he had a good perspective. We had a good talk and we are on good terms.”

Ghana look set to miss out on qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations as they head into games against Angola and Niger sat third in Group E and on two points.

Angola have already qualified and are on 12 points, while Sudan are second in the group and five clear of Ghana.

That has led to suggestions Partey has been left out so as not to risk him ahead of the busy festive period he is heading into with Arsenal.

In the midfielder’s absence, Ayew will captain the side. West Ham star Mohammed Kudus had the armband in the last international break, but Addo believes he is still learning as a leader.

“The initiative was to make Thomas captain of the team and for him to guide the team, to lead the team,” said Addo.

“Once he is not there now, shortly after I talked to Thomas, I had to talk to Kudus. For him, he is still young, he needs to grow into that role.

“The last time he was captain when he was assisting Thomas and last time I took the decision to make Kudus captain.

“Now, as we know Thomas is not there for the next two games, we made the decision to - or at the end I decided to take a new captain for the team - which will be Jordan.

“I talked to Kudus for him to understand that for me he is still needs to learn and grow into that role.

“And I want him still to be second captain alongside [Alexander] Djiku, but Jordan will takeover now and he will lead and guide the team.”