Arsenal star Thomas Partey is now hopeful of handing Mikel Arteta a huge boost and be fit to face Leicester City. The midfielder has missed the Gunners’ last two games due to injury.
That is according to the Evening Standard, which reports Partey aims to return to action on Saturday at the King Power Stadium. Arteta has been without the 29-year-old recently due to a thigh problem. The issue also prevented him from taking part in training this Monday.
Arsenal are continuing to monitor Partey’s injury before they travel to Leicester. The north Londoners are mindful to play his return to action with caution given the timescale to their next match. Jorginho’s promising performance at Aston Villa has also relieved any urgency.
Partey, though, is itching to get back on the field and help Arsenal strengthen their place at the top of the Premier League table. A 4-2 win at Aston Villa last Saturday put the Gunners back atop the table with Manchester City only able to draw 1-1 against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal will target Everton’s visit to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, March 1 for Partey’s return from injury if he does not feature at Leicester at the weekend. The Toffees travel to the capital to take on Arteta’s team during the Gunners’ game in hand on Manchester City.
Arsenal miss Partey’s defensive expertise whilst sidelined with another injury
Arteta oversaw a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City and Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa without Partey due to his injury. It was the second thigh problem the 43-cap Ghana midfielder has suffered this term. He also missed three Premier League games in August into September.
Partey has otherwise started during all 18 of his top-flight outings so far this season, whilst offering two goals. While Paul Merson has lauded the £200k-a-week star’s defensive input as ‘absolutely outstanding’. He has shielded Arteta’s backline like no other Gunners player.
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