Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is aiming to be back available before the next international break later this month, according to the Evening Standard.

The Ghanaian international has missed the last three matches against Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United with a recurrence of a thigh muscle problem, but he is optimistic that he could return to action within the next couple of weeks.

Partey is not ready to take part in full training, although the Standard claim that the player is hoping to be “involved” in some group work “this week”. It means there is no chance that he will be ready to face FC Zurich on Thursday or Everton this weekend.

However, there is now a possibility that he may be fit when the Gunners make the short trip to face Brentford on September 18th.

Arsenal are said to be cautious about Partey returning to the fold before he is ready. He has had setbacks with the same thigh injury in the past so the club’s medical staff want to be careful. The fact that he has already been included in Ghana’s squad for their fixtures against Brazil and Nicaragua does suggest, though, the player is confident he’ll be back soon.