Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Thomas Partey did not suffer a “significant” injury against Manchester City last week.

The Ghanaian international is believed to have sustained damage to his ribs in the FA Cup defeat at the Etihad, which forced him to come off at halftime. However, speaking ahead of the game against Everton, Arteta said:

“Let’s see today [Friday 3rd] how he comes in and if he’s able to train with the team today or not and then we’ll make a decision. He’s not ruled out and it’s nothing very significant but it was significant enough to get him out of the game [at the Etihad] which for Thomas is a bit unusual. Hopefully, he will be fine.”

Whether or not he plays at Goodison Park, it seems as though he will be available for the Gunners’ slate of games in February.

After the trip to Goodison Park, they take on Brentford ahead of the top of the table clash versus City. The Premier League leaders will then face Aston Villa and Leicester City before the end of the month.

Partey has been an integral figure in Arsenal’s unlikely title challenge and his fitness will be key if Arteta’s men are to stay in 1st place until the final day in May.