Ghana manager Chris Hughton has eased fears Arsenal’s Thomas Partey picked up an injury while away on international duty.
The midfielder has already missed six games this season after a groin problem sustained during a draw with Fulham in August.
Partey made his return during the closing stages of the landmark win over Manchester City before the international break but lasted only 45 minutes as the Black Stars lost to Mexico in a friendly on Sunday.
Arsenal travel to Chelsea after the international for another huge Premier League clash on Saturday evening as they look to capitalise on beating City.
Mikel Arteta is already dealing with niggling injuries to the likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, both of whom were forced to pull out of their respective international squads.
Leandro Trossard also withdrew from the Belgian camp, while Gabriel Martinelli has been injured at times this season.
Hughton, however, insists Ghana had always planned to manage Partey’s minutes given his recent injury problems. They are next in action against the United States on Wednesday and the former Atletico Madrid midfielder could continue his comeback then.
“Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes,’ Hughton told a press conference.
“He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”
