Arsenal provide massive Thomas Partey injury update

Arsenal are preparing to take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday and the club’s supporters have been holding a collective breath over Thomas Partey.

The midfielder missed the 1-0 Premier League win over Watford just before the international break, and the played no part in either of Ghana’s World Cup qualifying matches.

A 1-0 win over Ethiopia set up a tense final match against South Africa, with the Black Stars hoping the 28-year-old could link up with the squad in time for the fixture. Staying back in north London to focus on his rehabilitation, the nation didn’t get their wish.

Due to him not flying out there were worries that he would be fit in time to face Liverpool. Arsenal were ‘hopeful’ of his involvement, but he remained a doubt for this crunch Anfield meeting.

Arsenal handed massive Thomas Partey injury boost ahead of Premier League clash with Liverpool as Granit Xhaka is on course for January return

However, it appears no news is good news.

Arsenal have released their latest fitness updates and Partey is nowhere to be seen. He appears to have recovered from his groin strain, with the club stating that all other players in the men’s first-team squad are currently fit and available for selection.

It’s massive news for Mikel Arteta, who will need the presence of the Ghanaian on Saturday against one of the most formidable midfields in the Premier League.

There was more positive news, too.

An update has been provided on Granit Xhaka, who has not featured since damaging his knee ligaments in the North London Derby win over Tottenham back in September.

"“Granit is continuing to make good progress in his recovery from a medial knee ligament injury sustained on September 26,” the statement read. “Granit is now running outside with the current aim to be back in full training in January.”"

With AFCON coming around after the turn of the year, having the Swiss back around that time is more welcome than ever. It’s still not as soon of a return as he would have liked – with Arteta previously stating he was aiming to cut the recovery time off by a month – but it’s still welcome news that there have been no setbacks.

Sead Kolasinac is the only other absentee for the weekend as he has sustained a significant injury to his left ankle after another dreadful challenge on him while away with Bosnia. He was in a cast last time he was pictured, and he could be out for a while.

On the positive side, however, Arsenal are near enough full strength for Liverpool.