Arsenal take on West Ham United on Sunday and Mikel Arteta has received two major injury boosts before this match but the worst part is that Thomas Partey could be missing for a significant amount of time.
The first and perhaps the biggest sigh of relief is that Bukayo Saka is fully fit and available for selection after having some issues towards the end of the Manchester United match.
The manager said in his press conference: “Hopefully he will be fine. He had some issues in the final part of the game but he’s recovered well and we expect him to be available.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu has returned to training after a long injury layoff but the manager has admitted that the right-back will go through a late fitness test to determine his availability.
“You only know that when a player’s been out for a long spell when you put him on the pitch. He hasn’t started any matches yet. He’s lacked a bit of time on the pitch so it’s a decision we will make tomorrow,” the manager added.
Amidst these two bits of positive news, Mikel Arteta has also revealed that midfielder Thomas Partey might have already played his final game of the current season. He is currently out with a muscle injury and initially, he was scheduled to return at the start of next month.
Arteta has now updated: “He’s progressing but he had a significant injury, a recurring injury as well, so we don’t expect him to make progress that quickly to see him this season, but hopefully I am wrong.”
Mikel Arteta on Partey: “He’s progressing, but he had a significant injury so we don’t expect him to make progress quickly enough to see him again this season. Hopefully, I am wrong.” #afc pic.twitter.com/BEOMM94nRN
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 29, 2022
Will Arsenal falter versus West Ham United?
Arsenal will be looking to pick up three wins on the trot by beating West Ham United and despite Thomas Partey’s absence, the Gunners should be able to see this one through.
West Ham go into this match at the back of an intense Europa League game and to make things even more challenging, they will play the 2nd leg next weekend. Moyes will obviously have one eye on that game so he could rest several players on Sunday.
Also, Arsenal go into this game on the back of wins versus Chelsea and Manchester United so they will have their tails up. Bukayo Saka not missing out is a massive plus and since the Hammers have won just one out of their previous five outings, Mikel Arteta’s men should see this one through.
Will the injury to Thomas Partey be a big blow?
Thomas Partey won’t be a major miss against West Ham United but the Gunners still have to play the all-important North London Derby and in that match, the midfielder could be badly missed.
The way it’s shaping up, the NLD should be the decisive factor as to which team seizes that fourth spot on the table and Arsenal could major suffer due to the absence of the midfielder.
