How Arsenal can ensure Thomas Partey successfully returns from injury this week

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Arsenal have been handed a major boost as Thomas Partey returned to training this week, but there will still be fears of further injury when he makes his comeback.

Partey has been one of Arsenal’s most injury-prone players since his arrival in 2020, and he has missed the majority of this season in a huge blow to Mikel Arteta.

The 30-year-old started the season as an inverted right-back, but has not started since August as he struggled with multiple problems, with Arteta later expressing his frustration that his tactical plans had been scuppered by his absences.

Arsenal have a trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday before a huge game in the title race at home to Liverpool next Sunday, and if Partey can play a part, he could be the difference between victory and defeat. However, there does need to be some caution.

Arsenal need careful return plan for Thomas Partey

Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts explained that Partey should not start against Forest, but a substitute appearance could prepare him for a potential return to the starting XI against Liverpool.

“For me, I think the best thing is to give him half an hour in the second half against Nottingham Forest, get some minutes into his legs, then he can be ready to get at least to the 60 or 70-minute mark against Liverpool because that game is so, so huge,” he stated.

Partey has not featured since he came off the bench in a victory against Manchester City in October, and starting him immediately would represent a high risk of re-injury.

Arteta cannot repeat mistake over Thomas Partey

In Partey’s first season, he missed over a month of action with injury, but made a surprise start in a North London Derby.

Just before half-time, Partey walked over to the touchline for treatment for a problem, but Arteta ushered him back onto the pitch, and he picked up another injury which kept him out for a while.

Rushing him back only led to further trouble, and Arsenal will need Partey to stay fit for as long as possible in order to claw their way back into the title race.

If he isn’t fit enough to start against Liverpool, then there will be little gained by shoehorning him in. However, it would be a good boost to have him even for one half of football if it is possible.