Mikel Arteta insists Thomas Partey is still ABSENT from training despite rumours he had returned… as the Arsenal boss addresses whether the Ghanaian will be back before the Africa Cup of Nations
- Thomas Partey has only played five games so far this season due to injury
- He could return in time for the opening of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana on January 14
- It's tight at the top of the tree with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all dropping points… so who has won Christmas so far? Listen to It's All Kicking Off
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that both Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu have not returned to training ahead of Thursday night's clash with West Ham.
Rumors circulated that Partey had returned to training and was about to make his first Premier League appearance since their 1–0 win against Man City on October 8.
However, Arteta has ruled out both players for their home game against the Hammers, where a win will take them top of the Premier League in 2024.
There is also uncertainty as to whether the pair will play for the Gunners before heading out on international duty next month.
Partey is expected to take part with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, while Tomiyasu will go with Japan for the Asian Cup.
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Thomas Partey has still not returned to Arsenal training
The Spaniard said there is a chance Partey could play before heading off with Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations
Discussing team news ahead of Thursday's match, Arteta said: 'We won't have those two (Partey and Tomiyasu), then we will have Kai's suspension [Havertz]so I think we'll have five out, but we've got a lot more players that want to play.”
On whether Partey and Tomiyasu will return before international duty, Arteta said: 'There is a chance. We'll have to see. They haven't trained yet, but hopefully they can evolve in the right way.”
Ghana and Japan will start their respective Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup campaigns on January 14.
In that time, the Gunners will play West Ham on Thursday, Fulham on New Year's Eve and Liverpool in an FA Cup third round on January 7.
Should Ghana and Japan reach their respective finals, Partey and Tomiyasu would miss at least four games for the Gunners, including a Premier League clash with Liverpool at the Emirates on February 4.
There is still some uncertainty as to when Partey and Tomiyasu would leave with their countries to prepare for the tournament.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (pictured), like Partey, will miss the match against West Ham and could also miss a month of international action if Japan participates in the Asian Cup
Arteta said: 'Discussions are ongoing between the clubs and federations. We haven't decided when it's best yet.'
Partey has already missed the majority of the season for the Gunners, making just five appearances so far this season.
There is speculation that he could move on in the coming window following Declan Rice's successful arrival at Arsenal.
Tomiyasu, meanwhile, has missed Arsenal's last four Premier League games due to a calf injury.
