Partey gets ‘stupid’ red for Arsenal just hours after flying home from Africa

Arsenal star Thomas Partey received a "stupid" red card as the Gunners bowed out of the League Cup at the hands of Liverpool on Thursday evening.

A brace from Diogo Jota booked the Reds their spot in next month's final, where they will face Chelsea for the first chance of silverware this season.

After a drab 0-0 display at Anfield a week ago, Jurgen Klopp's side dominated proceedings in north London, with Jota's double setting up a first Wembley visit since a League Cup final defeat to Manchester City in 2016.

But it was a night to forget for Gunners midfielder Thomas Partey who was dismissed for two yellow cards in his first match back from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite ranking as the eighth strongest African nation in the FIFA rankings, Ghana and Partey exited the tournament after just three matches, failing to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.

A 3-2 defeat to 132nd ranked Comoros in their final outing sealed their fate at the bottom of Group D with the Arsenal midfielder landing back in London at Thursday lunchtime.

Despite only being back in the country for eight hours, Partey was named on the bench for the crucial second-leg against Liverpool.

Was Thomas Partey's red card tackle "stupid"? Let us know in the comments section.

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And with the Gunners 1-0 down at the break, Partey was introduced for the final 45 minutes of the tie.

But the Ghanaian would not have Mikel Arteta's desired impact, receiving two yellow cards and heading for an early bath with less than a minute of the match to go.

A late challenge on Fabinho was enough for Martin Atkinson to go to his pocket for a second time and flash a red card in the direction of Partey.

The poorly timed tackle was branded "stupid" by Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith who showed little sympathy for the Arsenal star.

Partey will now serve a one-match suspension against Burnley in Arsenal's next Premier League fixture.

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