Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Thomas Partey remains a doubt to start their Premier League game against Everton on Wednesday.
Although the midfielder recently made his return from a thigh injury as a substitute against Leicester, Arteta has not confirmed if he will be able to start against Everton.
Partey’s absence was felt in Arsenal’s previous games against Manchester City and Aston Villa. The midfielder has been a crucial component of Arsenal’s squad this season.
However, the Gunners were able to secure a win against Leicester even without his starting presence, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the decisive goal.
Arteta has been using January signing Jorginho as a replacement for Partey, and the Italian proved his worth by scoring a late winner against Aston Villa.
Still, Partey’s return to the squad is a boost to Arsenal’s title hopes, which have been gathering momentum in recent weeks.
‘He hasn’t trained much, he’s only had a session,’ Arteta said. ‘He will train today so it is what it is. He was out for a few weeks and he needs to get the rhythm.’
In addition to Partey’s potential comeback, the Gunners could also welcome back long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus before the international break, according to reports.
This will be a welcome boost for Arteta, whose side is facing a busy schedule with games against Bournemouth, Fulham, and Sporting Lisbon twice in the coming weeks.
Despite the recent positive developments, there were some bizarre scenes at the end of the Leicester game when Gabriel and William Saliba were seen having an animated discussion. It remains unclear whether the exchange was serious, but it was a curious incident nonetheless.
When asked about the altercation, Arteta responded with a joke, saying “They have a happy marriage. They’re very passionate. Everything is alright.”
Arteta will be hoping for a full-strength squad as Arsenal looks to continue their push for their first title in 19 years. The fans will be eagerly awaiting the team’s performance against Everton and the upcoming matches.
