The Gunners £45m summer signing has been on the sidelines ever since picking up a thigh problem at the start of February.
Thomas Partey could play in Arsenal’s match against Benfica as the player is “very close” to returning to full fitness, Mikel Arteta has informed.
Partey has sat out each of Arsenal’s past three fixtures due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on February 6.
The absence of the defensive midfielder has not got unnoticed with the Gunners being able to win just one of those three games, losing in one and drawing the other.
The 27-year-old is set to take part in a training session on Wednesday. Should he come out unharmed, the Ghanaian will join the Arsenal team for the trip to Athens for the Europa League last-32 second-leg tie.
“Thomas is very close,” Arteta told a press conference, via Evening Standard. “He has got a final test today in training. If he is feeling good he can play the match.”
Rob Holding, who received a knock on the head and was consequently taken off during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, will not make the trip.
“Regarding Rob, he is not available,” added Arteta. “He had a concussion. We used that [substitution]. He is completely fine, but obviously, now we need to follow the protocols and he won’t be able to travel.”
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