SPOTTED TODAY: Injured £200k-a-week Arsenal star spotted training in gym as return to action to face Brighton this weekend – Not Timber
SPOTTED TODAY: Injured £200k-a-week Arsenal star spotted training in gym as return to action to face Brighton this weekend
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey appears to be nearing a return to action for the Gunners.
Samuel Zigah, the Arsenal star’s representative, took to X on Thursday afternoon to share footage of Partey training in the gym.
Zigah added the emojis of a ‘soon’ arrow, an octopus (the Arsenal man’s nickname) and a flexed bicep.
The Arsenal star picked up a muscle strain in training back at the start of November which required surgery, and he hasn’t featured since.
Partey was expected to miss the remainder of 2023, though as per the Evening Standard, there had been tentative reports that he could look to be involved before Christmas.
Mikel Arteta subsequently played down the prospect of the £200,000-a-week star (Spotrac) returning to action by the time Arsenal face Liverpool on 23 December.
“We don’t know, he’s getting a very good evolution in the injury but it’s a bit early to get a timeframe,” said the Arsenal boss.
“That would be incredibly fast if he’s able to do that, so we’re going to have to wait.
“We’re quite short with five key players for us not being available for us for a bit of time, but we have to continue.”
Thomas Partey return looming but Arsenal future remains uncertain
While that may have tempered expectations, Zigah’s post could well reignite hopes that Partey could indeed be back – if not against Liverpool, then at least before the year’s over.
Partey is a world-class player who improves Arsenal massively when he’s in good form. However, his history of injury issues is concerning.
Let’s hope that the 30-year-old can turn a corner and stay fit for the Gunners. Otherwise, Mikel Arteta may have to consider bringing in a replacement in 2024.
