Arteta says 27-year-old Arsenal star definitely won’t play the next two games

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Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal’s official website that there’s no chance of Thomas Partey being back for their next two Premier League games.

The 27-year-old powerhouse has had a number of injuries since joining the Gunners in a £45 million deal this past summer.

So far, Partey, a £45 million signing from Atletico Madrid, has only managed 278 minutes of Premier League football, spread across five appearances.

He hasn’t kicked a ball for Arsenal since the defeat by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, which was his comeback game after picking up a knock in the defeat by Aston Villa a couple of weeks prior.

But asked if Partey could return against Brighton or West Brom, Arteta said: “Not yet, he hasn’t started to train with us yet, so he is still a few more days away.”

Arsenal might be without Partey for the short term.

Arteta’s side picked up a much-needed win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day – their first victory in the Premier League since November 1.

And with Brighton and Albion struggling this season, this could potentially represent six points if Arsenal turn up.