Arsenal were without Thomas Partey on Saturday as they beat West Ham United 5-2 at the London Stadium.
Jorginho stepped into the team for that fixture, as Thomas Partey sustained an injury ahead of the game.
The Italian veteran was making just his fifth Premier League appearance of the season, but was able to call upon his experience to slot in comfortably at the base of the midfield trio.
Arsenal fans were impressed by Jorginho’s display against the Hammers, but Mikel Arteta will certainly still be keen to have Partey back in action as soon as possible, as the former Atletico Madrid man has been a key figure for the Gunners so far this season.
Is Thomas Partey seriously injured?
Partey has been plagued by injury issues in previous campaigns. Up until now this season, though, he looked to have put his fitness woes behind him, reinvigorating his career at the Emirates Stadium.
Partey has been Arsenal’s best midfielder so far this season, and Arteta will be desperately hoping that this setback is not a sign that his recurring injury issues are returning.
Fortunately, as far as journalist Charles Watts is concerned, that does not appear to be the case.
Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter revealed: “What I’ve heard, in terms of his fitness, I don’t think it’s anything serious. That’s certainly what I’ve been told in the conversations I’ve had at the moment.”
Will Thomas Partey be fit for Arsenal vs Manchester United?
The Gunners will host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, and it is vital that the North London club can take all three points from this fixture.
If Arsenal are to stand any chance of chasing down Liverpool in the Premier League title race, they need to maintain their current momentum.
Arteta will be waiting to see if Partey is fit to face the Red Devils. Watts, though, is doubtful that the 31-year-old will be ready for a return to action in time.
He said: “There is certainly a hope that he will return to training this week. I don’t know when, so it could be at the end of the week. It could Thursday or Friday. If that’s the case, obviously, he’s not going to play against Manchester United, but it could also be before. He’s certainly hoping to be fit, but they’re just not sure yet. He’ll be assessed today.”
Declan Rice is the best option to shield the Arsenal defence, especially if Partey is unfit to perform that duty against Manchester United.
However, pulling Rice into a deeper role will leave Arteta looking for a candidate to slot in as the left-eight alongside Martin Odegaard. As Mikel Merino has had fitness issues of his own, this could be a problem.
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