Mikel Arteta believes Thomas Partey still has an “outside chance” of returning to action for Arsenal before joining up with Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad next month.
Midfield powerhouse Partey has been sidelined since sustaining a thigh injury during the Gunners’ 3-2 loss to Tottenham in October.
The 29-year-old recently resumed light training to offer encouragement he may yet play again before heading to the Ivory Coast with the Black Stars in early January.
And when quizzed on Partey’s prospects of featuring over the busy festive period, Arteta struck an optimistic tone despite ruling the former Atletico Madrid man out of Thursday’s clash with West Ham.
“There is a chance [of him playing before AFCON],” the Arsenal manager told reporters.
“We’ll have to see. He hasn’t trained yet but I hope he can develop in the right way.”
Earlier this month, Ghana coach Chris Hughton insisted Partey was “anxious” to prove his fitness amid a nerve-jangling wait for player and country.
And Arteta’s latest update suggests the combative midfielder remains firmly on course to anchor the Black Stars midfield when they kick-off their Group C campaign versus Portugal on January 11th.
Having reached the World Cup quarter-finals without him, Ghana will be desperate to welcome Partey back to spearhead their pursuit of AFCON glory after painfully missing out in 2021.
