Arsenal handed massive boost as ‘incredible’ player now pictured in training

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Arsenal have suffered from countless injury problems from the very start of the season, but there is finally positive news.

Thomas Partey, who has appeared just once since August, has been struggling with a thigh injury for the last few months. However, he has now returned to training.

It was anticipated that the 30-year-old would soon return after his long absence, with next week’s clash away at Nottingham Forest now looking likely to be the game where he makes his return.

Partey has been an important player for Mikel Arteta when fit, but has missed a lot of games since his arrival in 2020, but this is a huge boost ahead of the second half of the season.

Thomas Partey returns to Arsenal training

Arsenal have now posted a picture of the Ghanaian in first-team training on X, captioned “welcome back, Thomas.”

The midfielder has made just four appearances all season, and hardly any of them were in his natural position in the middle of the park.

He started the season as an inverted right-back in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, with summer signing Declan Rice lining up at the base of midfield, with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard ahead of him.

Arsenal fans are all eager to see Partey line up with Rice and Odegaard as a midfield trio, with this combination only seen in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City at the start of the campaign.

Where should Partey play for Arsenal?

With his return imminent, Arteta has several ways he can include Partey in his starting XI.

Whilst it seems certain that he will initially return from the bench against Nottingham Forest, Arteta may be tempted to start Partey in midfield as Liverpool travel to the Emirates on February 4th.

Partey’s role as an inverted right-back surprised many, but this shape could even be used again in certain games. Ben White has been carrying an injury for months, and Partey’s return perhaps also adds extra depth to the defence as well as the midfield.

When he is ready to start though, he should be brought into midfield with Rice pushing further forward. Rice has described Partey as “incredible” and the prospect of both players lining up together is an exciting one given their blend of physicality and ability to progress the ball from deeper areas.