Ahead of this week’s fixtures, Arsenal have updated the status of a few male players while one of the Arsenal women has, as is standard, picked up an injury on international duty.

Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz is seen with his head bandaged during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 29, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz is seen with his head bandaged during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 29, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP)

Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday which, let’s face it, apart from fans getting back into the stadium, is a side show to the north London derby set to take place this weekend much to our trepidation, the club have issued some updates.

The question everybody wants to know is ‘Will Thomas Partey be fit to play?’ The answer is ‘We don’t know.’

The club are being very vague with their updates in a way that alarms me but I seem to be in the minority. Those with ‘inside info’, which I certainly don’t have, seem optimistic the injury isn’t too bad. My gut tells me otherwise.

As it stands, he won’t play against Rapid and might be available for Spurs. The latest update follows a similar patterns to others with the club saying, “Thomas is progressing with his rehabilitation ahead of returning to full training.” Note how they don’t give any indication of when that might be.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Arteta added, “We don’t know [if he will play against Spurs]. Again he is really pushing. Every day he is trying to get around the doctor and the physios. He hasn’t trained with the team yet. So this week let’s see if he can get a session or two.”

David Luiz will not take part on Thursday night due to the cut he suffered against Wolves. He might be available for Spurs if he is able to head the ball without issue.

Sead Kolasinac has been cleared to play on Thursday night after suffering from Covid.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Lia Waelti of Arsenal is challenged by Alanna Kennedy of Tottenham Hotspur during the FA Women's Continental League Cup match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Meadow Park on November 18, 2020 in Borehamwood, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Lia Waelti of Arsenal is challenged by Alanna Kennedy of Tottenham Hotspur during the FA Women’s Continental League Cup match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Meadow Park on November 18, 2020 in Borehamwood, England.  (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Joel Lopez, as we reported in an exclusive, has suffered a broken wrist but should be available for selection on Thursday night should Arteta call on him.

Lia Walti suffered a concussion when playing for Switzerland against Belgium on Tuesday night and protocol would dictate she will miss Sunday’s FA WSL game against Birmingham City.

https://twitter.com/amy6amy/status/1333865563102318593?s=09

There have been no women’s updates about anything on Arsenal.com since 24 November so it’s not clear how the other injured players are progressing.

In regards to the long-termers, Gabriel Martinelli, to the relief of everyone, is closing in on a return to competitive action with an u23s appearance slated for later this month.

Pablo Mari, initially due back in September, is still working towards full match fitness.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news