Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is ‘very close’ to a return from the treatment room and is in contention for the upcoming fixtures against Benfica and Leicester City.
Partey has been out for almost a month since suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the start of the month.
The £45million summer signing has missed Arsenal’s last three matches but could return on Thursday evening when the Gunners face Benfica in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League clash.
Arteta will be without defender Rob Holding, however, after he suffered a concussion in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.
‘Thomas is very close, he’s got a final test today in training and if he is feeling good he will be available,’ Arteta said on Wednesday morning.
‘[Rob] Holding had a concussion but now we need to follow the protocols and he won’t be available.’
More to follow…