Mikel Arteta looks set to be able to call upon Thomas Partey for Arsenal's clash against Tottenham in the north London derby next weekend.
A number of first team players are returning from injuries picked up in recent weeks, including captain Martin Odegaard and summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, football.london understands. Odegaard and Zinchenko were both suffering with calf injuries but the international break has given both players time to recover ahead of a crucial game against Spurs.
The Gunners have been left sweating over the fear that Partey is the next player to suffer an injury after the Ghana international had already picked up a knock earlier this month and was left out of the Black Stars' latest fixture. Arteta will be hoping to avoid another midfield injury ahead of a crucial run of games for the Gunners which starts with huge fixtures against Spurs and Liverpool.
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Partey would be a huge loss for the Gunners who have already suffered injuries in that area of the pitch meaning another absentee would leave Arteta's options a bit light. Albert Sambi Lokonga would be the first option to replace Partey in the team after the young midfielder has already filled in for the Ghana international earlier this season.
Arsenal failed to add a new central midfielder to Arteta's squad on Deadline Day after having three bids rejected for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz. The Gunners could look to reignite their interest in the Brazilian midfielder in the January transfer window as they look to continue fighting at the top of the Premier League table and challenge across all competitions.
Fears that Partey could miss the north London derby have been eased after a member of the Black Stars' medical team issued a positive update on the Arsenal midfielder's fitness. Journalist George Addo Junior posted on Twitter that he had received an update from a member of the Ghana medical team stating that 29-year-old was left out of the Black Stars' game against Brazil as a 'precaution'.
The tweet read: "A member of the Black Stars medical team has confirmed to me Partey's exclusion was only precautionary. Partey felt uncomfortable around his knee and was advised to pull out. He should be ready for Tuesday's game."
This is a welcome boost for the Gunners who will be hoping their players return fully fit ahead of a run of nine fixtures in October as they fight to stay top of the Premier League and qualify from their Europa League group.
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