Thomas Partey nears Arsenal first-team return after sitting out for months

Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is nearing his much-anticipated comeback to the first-team squad after a gruelling four-month struggle with a thigh injury.

Since October 2023, the absence of the Ghanaian midfielder has been deeply felt, but there's growing optimism as he edges closer to rejoining Mikel Arteta's side.

Partey's prolonged absence, attributed to a persistent thigh injury, has been a cause for concern for both the player and the club, particularly as it meant missing out on representing Ghana in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the Black Stars exited in the group phase.

After undergoing an extensive rehabilitation process, the midfielder has finally returned to training, marking a significant step forward in his recovery journey.

Although Partey was not included in the squad for recent matches against Porto and Newcastle, his return to training last week indicates encouraging progress in his rehabilitation.

With an upcoming fixture against Sheffield United on the horizon, Arsenal's coaching staff are hopeful about Partey's availability, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing confidence in the midfielder's readiness to resume competitive action.

"Obviously he’s been out for many, many months now and we need to really nail the timing and when he has enough in the tank to compete, but I think he’s very close," Arteta stated.

This season, the 30-year-old has made four appearances in the English Premier League.