Mikel Arteta now shares significant Arsenal blow as player suffers ‘setback’ in recovery

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Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey finally looked set to return from a long-term injury, but has now had another setback in his recovery.

The 30-year-old has been absent for most of the season, and has been a big miss in midfield. When he returned to full training in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta was handed a boost over one of his best players.

However, just when it appeared that he would be ready to join the matchday squad, potentially even for this weekend’s clash with Liverpool, Partey’s recovery has been delayed yet again, and he is now set to miss more action.

Thomas Partey suffers another injury setback

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that Partey could be out for even longer, and will not be in the squad for Sunday’s huge game.

“With Thomas [Partey] we had a little setback a few days ago. He’s not going to be in the squad. He felt something in a similar area (thigh),” he stated.

“A big concern because he’s such an important player for us,” he added.

“He was getting some momentum at the start of the season and then we lost him for a while and now it’s been a long time without him. He can give us something very different that no other player can in the squad. He’s been a real miss.”

Have Arsenal lost patience over Thomas Partey?

Arsenal fans have been eager to see the midfielder return and line up alongside Declan Rice, in what would be one of the best midfield pairings in the world.

However, they may have finally run out of patience after this latest setback. Partey has featured just once since August, and losing him has been a major blow.

Arteta can no longer rely on him, and with Martin Zubimendi heavily linked with a summer move, it appears that he is ready to move on from the Ghana International, who also missed the African Cup Of Nations.

Despite his outstanding ability, Partey’s lack of reliable fitness makes him detrimental to the squad, and if an offer comes in at the end of the season, Arsenal should accept it.

Jorginho could come into the lineup on Sunday instead, and whilst the veteran lacks Partey’s physicality, he has proven to be an excellent asset in the squad for his experience, intelligence and outstanding passing ability, and it appears that he could yet extend his contract beyond the end of the campaign.