Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out the possibility of Thomas Partey featuring in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Partey has not played for Arsenal since going off at half-time in the club’s 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa on November 8. It was initially thought the midfielder would return after the most recent international break.
However, the 27-year-old has since missed the matches against Leeds United, Molde and Wolves.
Arsenal lost 2-1 to Wolves at the Emirates on Sunday to make it just one win in six Premier League matches for Arteta’s side.
After the game, Arteta revealed Partey’s injury was more serious than first thought. That led to fears that the Ghana international could miss most of the games in December.
However, speaking at his press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash at home to Rapid Vienna, the Spanish tactician insists there is still a chance Partey could feature at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.
Partey, 27, will have another scan this week before a final decision can be made to determine his availability.
When asked if Partey could be available against Tottenham, Arteta said: “We don’t know, again he’s pushing every day he’s trying to get around the doctors and the physio. He hasn’t trained with the team yet.
“So let’s see this week if he can get a session or two, assess him and scan him again to see the extent of the injury and how it’s healed.
“I know if it’s Thomas he wants to play tomorrow, and then we have to see medically that he’s safe to run or participate this week at all.
“He’s been training separately in the last week or, so we have to scan him again to see how he’s feeling. He’s a player that’s so willing that he’s pushing us every day because he wants to do it.
“At the same time we have to protect and make sure that when he gets back into the team, he’s ready to do that to whatever extent that we can use him.
“So this week is going to be crucial, the moment he’s going to start to train with the team to see how he’s feeling and how he’s evolving day today.”
Arsenal has won two of the five matches the Ghana international has played, including the league win away at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
The Gunners sit 14th in the Premier League table having lost five of their opening 10 matches.
The Europa League is a different story, as a victory over Rapid Vienna on Thursday would secure top spot in Group B.
