Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been pictured back out on the training pitch at London Colney.
The Ghanaian international has not played since October, having undergone an operation on a thigh injury which has taken longer than expected to recover from.
Fans on X are ecstatic that Partey is nearing a return to full fitness with some key fixtures coming up over the next few weeks and months:
Our best January signing so far 🔥💯
— King Davies (@iam_Daposh) January 25, 2024
Time to cook
— Rowie (@_rowie__) January 25, 2024
now stay fit till the end of the season or we riot.
— Tunde (@Tuundeyyy) January 25, 2024
Best news of 2024 😭
— John Daviid Jonior (@john_daviid_jnr) January 25, 2024
Just bring the EPL trophy to the Emirates already
— Adex ♥️🤍 (@Adex_Afc) January 25, 2024
Great news
— Rowie (@_rowie__) January 25, 2024
The league is ours ❤️
— Leah Ray (@LeahRayAFC) January 25, 2024
I really hope that he stays fit.
— Kinyua wa Irungu (@KinyuaWaIrungu) January 25, 2024
When will Partey make his comeback?
There is optimism that the 30-year-old could even make the matchday squad for the Gunners‘ next game against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
After spending 3 and a half months on the sidelines, Partey is only likely to be fit enough for a brief cameo off the bench. He could, though, have a more prominent role when Mikel Arteta’s side take on Liverpool and West Ham in subsequent league fixtures.
Arsenal have 4 other players out injured
Both Declan Rice and Gabriel suffered knocks in the win over Crystal Palace last weekend, but there is an expectation that they will be fit for the Forest match next week.
Fabio Vieira is also said to be close to making his comeback after groin surgery, while there is now some confidence that Jurrien Timber could return to team training next month, with the Dutchman having made a quicker-than-expected recovery from an ACL injury.
