Mikel Arteta confirms fresh injury blow for Thomas Partey ahead of Liverpool clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a fresh injury blow for Thomas Partey ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday evening.

The Gunners registered back-to-back league wins following an impressive 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in midweek. Gabriel Jesus was the man of the match with a goal and an assist.

The striker picked up a minor knock before his substitution, but Arteta has confirmed that he has trained the whole week and should be fit to face the Reds at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

However, the club won’t have the services of midfielder Partey, who has had a little setback on his return from a thigh injury. Arteta is unsure when the Ghanaian could return to training again.

He told reporters: “Gabi played and trained with us the whole week. With Thomas unfortunately we had a little setback a few days ago. He’s not going to be available in the squad.

“We don’t know if it’s a few days or weeks. He felt something in a very similar area and he wasn’t able to train the last few days.”

Arsenal without Partey for key Liverpool clash

Partey has been injury-prone during the course of his Gunners career. The €50 million signing has made just five appearances this term. His latest setback is another blow for the London club.

Some fans were hoping that Partey would return to the starting XI versus Liverpool thus allowing Declan Rice to start from the number eight position against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

That won’t be the case on Sunday. Jorginho and Declan Rice lined up together in the FA Cup third round loss to the Reds and it is left to be seen whether Arteta goes with the same duo.

The other alternative could be to field Rice and Emile Smith Rowe together. The Gunners graduate had a good outing against Forest recently where he came close to finding the net.

Kai Havertz or Leandro Trossard may also get the nod ahead of Smith Rowe on Sunday.

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