Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Thomas Partey will return to full training tomorrow as he closes in on a return from the thigh injury that has sidelined him for more than a month.
The Ghana international has missed four games since picking up the problem in the first half of the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa but could be in contention to play a part against Sp*rs on Sunday.
Facing the press after Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Rapid Vienna at the Emirates, the boss was asked for an update on the status of the 27-year-old.
He replied: “He’s putting a lot of pressure to us, he’s training tomorrow with us and let’s see how it goes in the next couple of days.”
In a further boost, Arteta now has Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers at his disposal after both men came through this evening’s match unscathed.
The former, who scored a header, has been out since July when he injured his ankle, while the latter, who came on in the second half, has been working his way back from a ruptured ACL in his left knee since last December.
“It’s great news [to see Pablo and Calum back] because those boys have been working really hard with the medical department,” said the boss.
“They put in a lot of hours to give themselves the chance to play and perform the way they did today. We have another two really good characters back with us and it’s really good news.”
Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on who might make his starting XI at White Hart Lane on Sunday but he did hint he wouldn’t be shy using players who impressed this evening.
“You’ve seen that in the last few games we’ve used some players on Thursday and they played on the weekend. This can change and this will change.
“I try to use different competitions to put two different teams, it’s because as well we are using them with the amount of injuries, suspensions and things that we had the performance level that they can give is in very good positions and you can see tonight that some of them might deserve to start the game on Sunday.”
Leno
Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
Partey Elneny Ceballos
Pepe Auba Saka
AMN for Ceballos, please. Ceballos does not have the legs for Spurs either pressing or recovering. Also let’s stick Partey in the center of the midfielders and Elneny on the right.
Can’t lose with that lineup.
Using Partey as an 8 in big games could be interesting, it’s something I’ve thought about before.
Also, I think Pepe will still be banned for this game? So have to replace him with Willian or Nelson. Alternatively, put Auba back at left wing, Laca central.
Saying all that, because it’s a big game I could also see us going back to a back 3/5.
Did you not see the Pepe headbut 10 days ago, mate? And a card was flashed on his face after that, & I remember it to be red, recollect anything now??
Takeshita just like your name you talk shit too
Pepe is suspended.
Leno
Holding Gabriel Tierney
Bellerin Partey Elneny AMN
Saka Laca Auba
Not sure of my front three….
Spuds play with 2 up top the way Kane and Son operate so we need a back three.
I like Laca playing this deeper no.10 role like in today’s europa game.
Maybe
Leno
Holding Gabriel Tierney
Bellerin Partey Elneny AMN
Saka Laca
Auba
Lool my bad for forgetting that been happy w his performances since the sending off so got excited.
Yeah for me it was AMN/CEBALLOS
For the Spurs game, it would help us to go in with a 3-5-2 formation, as we have looked so lightweight in midfield recently
Leno
Holding Gabriel Tierney
Bellerin Partey Elneny AMN Saka
Laca Auba
This would be my ideal lineup:
Leno
Holding, Gabriel, Tierney
Bellerin, Partey, Elneny, AMN, Saka
Laca, Auba
In a 3-5-2
Leno
Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
Partey Elneny
Nelson lacazette Saka
Auba
If i had to make a prediction Iwould make this but replace Nelson with Willian. Prediction, not hope, okay?
I’d put a diamond 4 in midfield supporting 2 strikers.
Leno Bellerin Saliba Gabriel Tierney AMN Party Nelson Laca saka Auba Pepe in for Nelson if Nelson doesn’t take his chance. If Saliba is capable of training everyday and play for the under 23s it can’t be his personal problems keeping him out the side. Holding, Luiz are back up CBS for where we want to be, we need to get Saliba and Gabriel playing together learning to be a centre back partnership. I think it’s unbelievable we are 14th and he hasn’t been used ONCE. I’ve watched as much of our under 23s matches as possible the kid is… Read more »
Don’t use Auba for time being. Big pay caused him lost his touch. Instead try the young man gun.
Pepe is banned.
My midfield would be partey, elneny and then lacca as a number 10. Not the nest but he’s better than no 10 at all, and willock just isn’t ready yet.
Saka, niles and auba up top
Sounds odd but willian is crap. And at least AMN is athletic
Maybe throw a cure ball and stick ESR in the 10 role? I think hes the best we’ve hot in there. Although I admit maybe this wouldn’t be the best game to give him his first start
For the love of god please play amn along elneny and partey…such clever movement as seen tonight, and he’s an incredible athlete/on ball defender when compared to xhaka/ceballos. I really don’t mean to slight the latter two at all, but we need amn’s superior athleticism in the midfield against spurs…. here’s to seeing more of the same from laca too, best he’s looked in a very long time
I’d also love to see more of AMN in the league line-ups. He was outstanding at the end of last season and probably didn’t deserve to lose his place.
Arteta made some interesting, deserved yet interesting choices. I see AMN knocking on some doors. I see players getting some chances to adapt and grow. I bet they see it too. You can bet Arteta is saying, show me, make me look at you, make yourself so damn committed and important I must react.
Great to see that Arteta released AMN from witness protection. We desperately need some athleticism in the side in midfield and AMN is the anti-Xhaka in that regard.
there’s a big difference between EPL teams and teams in EL in our group.. just saying.
Rapid Vienna is a bit less Dun Moldy though.
Mari return a welcome sight. I thought he did good considering first match back in. Certainly will be inetersting to see how he can be accommodated WITH Maghalaes in same set up (Both being more left sided) Chambers also a welcome sight but over inflated as per usual to point of little clarity. He barely touch the ball after coming on. Contrast some atypical low rating on Mustafi who put in a good shift clipped a very dangerous ball in from deep just after the half but also got on the end of some good opportunities first half. As always… Read more »
For this weekend, I truly hope Arteta uses Laca but tailored to add presence on edge of penalty box…
………………..Auba………………..Willian…………….
Saka…………………..Laca……………………Bellerin
……………..Granit………………Ceballos……………..
…….Tierney…………..Luiz…………….Maghalaes….
………………………….Leno……………………………….