Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics:Â Arsenal, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Injury, Liverpool
Ryan Smart
Topics:Â Arsenal, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Injury, Liverpool
Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost ahead of their trip to Liverpool on December 23.
Mikel Arteta's side travel to Anfield after this weekend's home clash against Brighton, as part of a tricky festive fixture list for the Gunners.
They are currently one point behind Liverpool at the top of the standings, although could go into the fixture on top of the table if they defeat Brighton and the Reds fail to beat Manchester United on Sunday at Anfield.
Arteta has been nursing a relatively lengthy injury list recently, with Takehiro Tomiyasu joining fellow defender Jurrien Timber as a long-term absentee. Fabio Vieira is also currently out of action.
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The other player currently missing for Arsenal is Thomas Partey, who hasn't played since October after undergoing thigh surgery.
The Ghanaian midfielder was expected to miss the rest of 2023, but new footage has shown that he is getting closer to recovery.
You can watch the clip below.
The footage shows the midfielder back in the gym and completing light exercises, indicating that a return to the first team is not far away.
It could open up the possibility of Partey being selected in the travelling squad for the trip to Anfield, although the Ghana international is facing a race against time.
Speaking after Partey suffered the thigh problem, Arteta conceded that his injury problems are becoming a 'big concern' for the Gunners.
He said (quotes via ESPN): "When Thomas is fit and available and he's been part of the team, we have seen what the results and the impact that he has on the team.
"This season we have more protection, especially for that reason as well because we know in the past two season what has happened and the impact that it had on the team, so we had to address that.
"Now it's happened and it happens in football. I'm so sorry for him because I think he's doing every single thing that he can do right to be there."