Arsenal have finally been handed some positive news on the injury front, as it now appears that Thomas Partey is set to return from injury sooner than expected.
The midfielder has missed most of the season through injuries, with a thigh issue keeping him out since October.
Partey even missed the chance to represent Ghana at the African Cup Of Nations this month, and there seemed to be little hope that he would return any time soon.
However, it now appears that he is set to return to action almost imminently, and could even appear before the end of January.
Thomas Partey could return for Arsenal this month
John Cross has reported in The Mirror that Partey has not suffered any delay or further setback in his recovery, and is now aiming to return before the end of January.
Arsenal have just two games left in this month, with a home fixture against Crystal Palace on the 20th before a trip to Nottingham Forest on the 30th, and there is a chance that Partey could be in the squad for the latter.
Ghana will not block Partey from playing for Arsenal before the end of AFCON despite him pulling out of the squad with injury, and their federation are on good terms with the club when it comes to managing his fitness.
Partey had a medical procedure on his thigh in November, and has now stepped up his recovery ahead of the second half of the season.
Arsenal should not rush Thomas Partey back from injury
Partey would hand Mikel Arteta a much-needed boost when he returns from injury, and Arsenal have missed him a lot.
Kai Havertz has underwhelmed in midfield, with his inability to progress the ball proving to be a key issue this season, and Partey would be a massive upgrade on him in the middle of the park, with Declan Rice pushing further forward.
Arsenal fans have been desperate to see a midfield trio of Partey, Rice and Martin Odegaard, who only started together in the middle in the Community Shield against Manchester City as Partey began the season as a right-back, with Arteta keen to take advantage of his versatility.
However, Arsenal have made mistakes before with Partey by rushing him back and causing further injury. If he can be eased in off the bench against Forest, then this will be a good way to welcome him back cautiously.
Arteta will be tempted to start him when Liverpool visit the Emirates in early February, but he will have to be wary that a short-term gain of having him back in the starting XI runs the risk of losing him for another long period if he is not fully ready.
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