Return: Thomas Partey
(Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is confident he will be back in action before this month’s international break.
Partey has been out since last month with a thigh injury but his recovery is progressing well and there is an outside chance of him making the squad for Sunday’s clash with Everton.
Mikel Arteta will not rush the Ghana international back, though, as Arsenal cannot afford any setbacks, given they are light on midfield options with Mohamed Elneny out for months with a hamstring injury.
Partey, yet to take part in full training, is hoping to be involved in some group work this week.
The 29-year-old was this morning called up for Ghana’s friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua later this month as they continue their World Cup preparations.
Partey’s return would be a major boost for Arsenal, who suffered their first defeat of the season at Manchester United on Sunday.
He has suffered with several injuries since joining Arsenal in 2020, with his current issue similar to the one that kept him out of the final two months of last season.
“We have tried to manage him,” said Arteta. “A lot has happened since he joined, obviously, and we are trying the best possible way to find the reasons.
“Unfortunately the body and the mind are too difficult sometimes to understand and put a finger on a single thing to try to prevent something happening. The attitude of the player is there with his willingness. He is really disappointed again obviously as you can imagine and the team needs him.”
