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Arteta provides timeline for Partey injury return

Thomas Partey - Arsenal
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The Ghana international is expected to miss the opening two games of the new league campaign for the Gunners.

Thomas Partey will likely return to Arsenal training in “approximately three weeks”, informs Mikel Arteta.

Partey is currently nursing an ankle injury he sustained in Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Chelsea last weekend.

The 28-year-old was in the starting XI for the London derby at the Emirates was limped off the pitch just 40 minutes into the match after being on the receiving end of a harsh sliding challenge from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Arsenal kick off the 2021-22 Premier League season with a trip to Brentford on Friday and then play host to Chelsea eight days later, and the former Atletico Madrid man will likely sit out both the fixtures.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility for him to gain full match fitness before the international break, meaning he could also miss the decisive match against titleholders Manchester City on August 28.

Speaking ahead of the MIND Series friendly clash with Tottenham on Sunday, the Arsenal boss provided a no-so-optimistic fitness update on Partey.

“Thomas sustained an injury to ligaments in his right ankle during the friendly match against Chelsea last Sunday,” Arteta the club’s official website.

“Thomas continues to be assessed and is expected to be back in training in approximately three weeks.”

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