Arsenal are now confident that Thomas Partey should overcome his injury to face Leicester City on Saturday. But boss Mikel Arteta may still start Jorginho at the King Power Stadium.
That is according to talkSPORT, which reports Partey missed training on Monday due to his thigh injury. Yet the Emirates Stadium team are increasingly optimistic that the 29-year-old will be available this weekend. He has missed their past two fixtures owing to the problem.
The Gunners lost 3-1 to Manchester City and beat Aston Villa 4-2 whilst their 43-cap Ghana anchor recovered. Arteta fielded Jorginho in both Premier League games for his first starts for the north London team. The Italian left Chelsea for £10m, rising up to £12m, in January.
Arteta could now start Jorginho at Leicester even if Partey returns to the Arsenal side after his injury this weekend. The 31-year-old has offered assured performances in place of their engine room enforcer. But he does not give anywhere near the same defensive protection.
Jorginho starting could come beside Partey with Granit Xhaka potentially then making way for the £200k-a-week star’s return. Alternatively, Arteta may opt against rushing his £45m anchor back from injury and only name the former Atletico Madrid enforcer on the bench.
Thomas Partey is itching to get back from his injury when Arsenal visit Leicester City
Partey has started in all 18 of his Premier League appearances so far this season as Arsenal push for the title. He also returned immediately to Arteta’s side at Brentford in September after three games out with a thigh issue. But their 3-0 win followed an international break.
So, Arteta could be mindful of the midfielder aggravating his latest problem by starting this weekend. But the Evening Standard reports Partey is itching to return from his injury and is also hopeful of facing Leicester when Arsenal travel to the East Midlands club on Saturday.
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