Arsenal: Kieran Tierney & Thomas Partey injury updates ahead of Benfica

Arsenal weren’t left to rue their absentees on Sunday night as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Leeds United.

A strong start resulted in goals (for a change) with the game put out of Leeds’ reach by the first half as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hector Bellerin put the Gunners 3-0 up.

The captain completed his hat-trick just after the break, and while Leeds hit back with two goals to set up a tense(ish) finish, the three points were secured on a largely enjoyable evening.

Mikel Arteta now takes his side to Rome to face Benfica in the Europa League round of 32 and two players absent from the vital win were brought up in his post-match press conference. The boss often talks about players having injuries that ‘evolve’, with such an instance seemingly occurring with Kieran Tierney whose thigh problem was upgraded to a knee issue in the days building up to the weekend.

Arsenal provide updates on Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey ahead of Europa League clash with Benfica

On the potential of Tierney being fit to face the Portuguese side on Thursday, Arteta insisted he looks set to miss out, although nothing is certain as he begins training in the coming days.

"“It seems unlikely at the moment, but I don’t know.” he said as quoted by the Evening Standard.“Probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran, because probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team. But I don’t know how he is going to evolve when he gets a little better closer to training with the group.”"

Having a ‘bigger’ chance relates to Thomas Partey, who the Spaniard confirmed will not be making a miraculous recovery in time for the crucial European tie.

Partey was initially given a two-week time frame before he could return, one that the club are hopeful will be sooner than initially anticipated. His thigh injury is a hamstring one and has to be monitored closely, as the decision to rush him back for the north London derby continues to plague his Arsenal career to date.

As for Tierney, he’s been well covered by Cedric Soares at left-back, even if the limitations of the defender playing in that position further strengthen the desire for the Scot to return.