Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is back in training ahead of the mammoth clash against Manchester City this weekend.
The Ghanaian international has been out of contention since sustaining a groin injury in the 2-2 draw against Fulham back in August.
It was originally estimated that Partey would be sidelined until after the next international break but he has made a quicker than expected recovery. Fans on X are happy that the player is available for selection once again:
We are cooking city
— #Afc-kse (@EconKSE) October 2, 2023
Nice one
— Henry (@tholuene001) October 2, 2023
Good news
— Onyinye Chima (@ObiefunaOnyinye) October 2, 2023
Defo not risk him against Lens 100% keep him back for Sunday
— Brad Wilson (@BradWilson1994) October 2, 2023
Can’t wait to see him play alongside Rice in that midfield
— BOSUN OMO MOROUNFOLU (@Bosunkosoko101) October 2, 2023
We are feasting hard
— 22🕷️ (@waywardkeed) October 2, 2023
Good news for Arsenal bad news for Man City to the next match.
— Paul Guscon (@PGuscon) October 2, 2023
Partey could be returning at just the right time
While the 30-year-old may not be fit to start against Lens tonight, there is a possibility that he could get 10 to 15 minutes off the bench.
If Partey can build up his match fitness, he could then be in consideration to face City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
To get the better of the Premier League champions, they need to have more of the ball, and having Partey alongside Declan Rice breaking up play could be the way to go. It was tried in the Community Shield so there is a chance that manager Mikel Arteta will deploy the tactic again.
Arsenal can’t afford to take risks on his fitness
Partey has been out for well over a month so throwing him back in the deep end so soon would be risky. There is an obvious danger that he could suffer a recurrence of some kind.
However, you can treat City as a one-off game, as it is right before the international break, so playing Partey may come under consideration.
