Arsenal are expected to have Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny back in contention for the FA Cup tie against Liverpool next month, according to the Evening Standard.
All three players have been sidelined with muscular injuries but it appears that they will be available again in a couple of weeks.
Fans on X are happy that the trio are close to returning to match fitness but some were hoping for them to be ready to play in fixtures over the festive period:
That’s massive news to hear COME YOU YOU GUNNERS
— ARSENAL (@Rossy_to_Rossy) December 21, 2023
Much rather have them for the weekend
— Tayfun Avci (@TayHavingFun) December 21, 2023
Stunning scenes loading
— madassenergee💤 (@spicyenergee) December 21, 2023
Great news
— Ethan (@ClaridgeEthan) December 21, 2023
I thought it’s this weekend 😤🤦♂️
— Richie (@DeeRichie8) December 21, 2023
Massive news 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👌
— Steve Gunners Hara (@SteveGunners1) December 21, 2023
That’s cool… but 2 of them are off to AfCon.
I’m more concerned about this weekend
— That Guy (@ThatGuy28780245) December 21, 2023
It’s a big boost for Arsenal for the second half of the season
Partey has been sidelined since November after undergoing an operation on a thigh injury, while Tomiyasu (calf) and Elneny (hamstring) picked up their problems earlier this month.
It does put less pressure on the Gunners in terms of seeking reinforcements during the January transfer window. The club are said to be looking to add numbers in midfield but the availability of Partey and Elneny means they will have a a couple of extra options for the second half of the campaign.
AFCON and the Asian Cup
Even if they do return to fitness in the timeframe predicted, Partey, Tomiyasu and Elneny will soon be jetting off to play for their countries anyway.
The African Cup of Nations starts in the Ivory Coast on January 13th while the Asian Cup in Qatar will begin a day earlier.
