Arsenal give update on Thomas Partey injury and two teammates before Liverpool
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a better idea of the status of Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey ahead of the top-of-the-table Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
As well as the Reds' own injury woes heading into this crucial fixture, the visiting side faced their own problems with as many as six players potentially missing. Particularly ravaged by injury has been Arteta's midfield. The aforementioned trio have all been absent in recent matches, though it would be fair to say those issues have been handled as the Gunners lead the way close to Christmas.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta told reporters his expectations of an "intense match" at Anfield and divulged the latest fitness news from North London.
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In a short message, he clarified: "Thomas Partey, we are still analysing his rehab and has not trained with the team. Mo Elneny hopefully will train with us today. Jorginho is still a doubt."
So ultimately that would leave only Elneny, who had been dealing with a hamstring issue since the start of the month, with a short chance to be in contention. Jorginho, hampered by a foot problem that made him sit out last weekend, and Partey, out with a hamstring injury since mid-November, remain in doubt.
Asides from that trio, the Spaniard has Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz to form a midfield to take on Liverpool. Unmentioned in Arteta's update were Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin) and Jurrien Timber (ACL), who are all expected to remain out of action until the New Year.
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