Partey & Tierney: Arteta speaks on duo's availability for Benfica tie

The Ghanaian midfielder is nursing a hamstring problem while the Scottish defender is yet to recover from a muscle strain.

Mikel Arteta says it is unlikely for Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney to feature in Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Benfica next week.

Partey and Tierney were both missing from Arsenal’s 4-2 Premier League victory over Leeds United on Sunday.

The former Atletico Madrid man, who has played for full 90 minutes just once in 2021, limped off with a hamstring injury in the defeat to Aston Villa.

The Celtic academy product, meanwhile, has not participated in each of the last six games for his side, with his last appearance coming against Newcastle in January.

Arsenal take a trip to Rome on Thursday to face Benfica in the Europa League Round of 32 first-leg before taking on leaders Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

“It seems unlikely at the moment, but I don’t know,” Arteta responded when asked if Partey and Tierney could play in the upcoming crunch clashes, via Evening Standard.

“Probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran, because probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team.

“But I don’t know how he is going to evolve when he gets a little better closer to training with the group.”