Arsenal receive Partey injury boost ahead of Manchester United clash

Thomas Partey is on course to be fit for Arsenal’s game against Manchester United on Saturday.

The Ghana international limped off during the second half of Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Southampton, raising fears he could miss this weekend’s meeting with United at Emirates Stadium.

Speaking on Thursday, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted he was unsure whether Partey or Emile Smith Rowe, who also picked up a knock against Southampton, would be fit to play Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

“I don’t know,” said Arteta. “They had some discomforts in different parts, Thomas and Emile, and we will have to see how they evolve. We still have some days until the game but not long so let’s see how they recover.”

Goal has learned, however, that Partey has recovered well, with sources close to the player confident he will be available for Saturday’s game.

The £45 million summer signing from Atletico Madrid will undergo one final check on Friday, when he is expected to be given the green light to play.

Partey’s availability will be a major boost to Mikel Arteta, who could be without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again.

The Gunners skipper has missed his side’s last two games due to his mother being ill and although she is now improving, the 31-year-old remains a doubt for the weekend.

Having been given permission to go and be with his mother, Aubameyang left the Arsenal squad’s bubble and the forward will need to return a negative test for Covid-19 before being allowed to return.

If - as it is believed - he left the country, then he could also be forced to follow strict quarantine protocols.

“I spoke with him yesterday,” Arteta said on Thursday. “Things are looking better at the moment, but we are going to have to wait and see.

“He is our captain and one of the most important players. We are doing everything we can to have him as a quick as possible - but understanding that he has been through difficult days, that he had to support his family and we were here to support him as well with the time that he needed to get that support.”

When asked if Aubameyang had been abroad during the past week and whether he would face any quarantine issues, Arteta said: “He had to support his family and he had to be with them. I don’t know what will happen.”