Premier League side Arsenal FC have received a major boost ahead of their blockbuster match against league champions and current leaders Manchester City.
All African players participating in the upcoming AFCON will be allowed to complete their club duties.
According to the agreement between CAF and the European clubs, If the players have matches in between 27th December and 3rd January, they have been given the green light to play the last round of matches before they head to their respective training camps.
With that decision, Ghana’s star midfielder Thomas Partey will be available for selection against Pep Guardiola’s men on New Year’s day.
The Africa Cup of Nations tournament will commence from 9th January and will last till 6th February and Partey will join the Black Stars team on the 3rd of January.
Some of the top Premier League names participating are Arsenal duo Thomas Partey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.
After the game against Man City, Partey is then expected to report for the Black Stars’ camp in Doha, Qatar before the team head to Cameroon on January 7.
