Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an update on the fitness of Thomas Partey as they prepare to face Aston Villa early on Saturday afternoon.
The Ghana international was absent in the Gunners’ clash with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday due to back pain, and they ended suffering a 3-1 defeat which saw them drop down to second place.
Partey’s presence has been very key to Arsenal’s improved form this season and Arteta did not sound affirmative about his chances of making the trip to Villa Park as he still has some discomfort. Arteta will therefore rely on winter signing Jorginho if need be.
“We have to assess [Thomas] again today,” Arteta said on the club website. “He has some muscle discomfort and we have to see how he is.
“[Jorginho] has come into the team and earned the respect of everybody. You see his leadership, his understanding of the game, how he’s coaching everybody. I think he had a really good game.
“You need players with those experiences that can guide, lead, give them reassurances and show [others] the path of how it gets done. That’s what we’re talking about, if you want to win the league, you have to dig deep.
“Sometimes you have to win it in the 96th minute, sometimes you have to play with 10 men. You have to win in many different contexts.”
Should Arsenal come out victorious in their reunion with Unai Emery who is now in charge of the Villains, they would temporarily be back at the top of the table pending the result of Man City’s trip to Nottingham Forest later in the afternoon.
