Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has done a u-turn over whether Thomas Partey will be able to feature against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, as per his comments to Football London.
Partey has struggled badly with injury, with the Arsenal midfielder missing their last three matches.
Arteta appeared to rule out Partey for the foreseeable future at the weekend, when he said to the club’s official website: “I don’t think he will be with us in the next few games.”
However, just a few days later, Arteta has now suggested that Partey could potentially feature in the North London derby.
“He’s been training separately in the last week or so and we have to scan him again to see how he’s feeling,” the Arsenal boss said.
“He’s a player that is so willing, that is pushing us every day and he wants to do it.”
And when asked whether Partey would be ready for Tottenham, he said: “We don’t know.
“He is really pushing every day and he’s trying to get around the doctor and the physios but he hasn’t trained with the team yet so let’s see this week if he can get a session or two and then assess him.”
Arteta’s words really do offer Arsenal encouragement that Partey could be fit to feature, in what would be a major boost to them.
Partey’s absence has already been felt in Arsenal’s last three games, with the Gunners failing to win any of them with their new signing on the sidelines.
The £45 million man (Sky) would offer Arsenal more steel and discipline in midfield, which could be crucial against a Tottenham Hotspur side who have been flying high.
If Arsenal can beat Spurs at the weekend, they would close the gap down to five points and finally bring some optimism back at the Emirates Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
