Thomas Partey injury update: Thomas Partey picked up another muscular injury on Saturday in Arsenal’s defeat against Aston Villa, so when are we likely to see the midfielder return to action?

Thomas Partey injury update BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Thomas Partey of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 06, 2021 in Birmingham, 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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Thomas Partey of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 06, 2021 in Birmingham, 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 Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

In the 74th minute of Arsenal’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday Thomas Partey just sat down. His muscles, it seems, had once again had enough of the Premier League.

Replaced by Willian, Arsenal now look set to be without Thomas Partey for at least a few games but we are unlikely to know how many until he actually returns because that’s how this new lot do things. Or don’t, as the case might be.

After Saturday’s latest debacle, Mikel Arteta said of Partey, “He had a muscular injury so we had to take him off

“He could not carry on playing.

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“I don’t know [how bad it is],” he added.

“We will see the extent of the injury. He wasn’t feeling well enough to continue playing so we had to take him off.”

Thomas Partey injury history at Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Before this injury, Partey had already missed 10 games for Arsenal in his first season in England. This is a player who missed just six in five years with the Atletico Madrid first team.

Colder, more physical conditions seem to be taking their toll.

Arsenal don’t play again until Leeds turn up at the Emirates on Valentine’s Day.

Smart money would be on Thomas Partey’s injury keeping him out of both that game at least.

Speaking in January about Thomas Partey when the midfielder was still out with his hip problem, Mikel Arteta highlighted his importance to the side.

“He has got a different presence, he brings something different to the team,” said Arteta. “It is not just about his talent, it is not just about his physicality, it is who he is as a person.

“He makes players better around him and that is a big, big quality. It is incredible that we are in January and we have only played him twice. We have not really seen the impact we believe he could have on the team.”

Arsenal currently sit in 10th place in the league once again, but only because so many teams below have games in hand. Our next Premier League opponents, for example, sit just two points behind us. Leeds have two games in hand, however, with Southampton and Palace, both also two points beneath Arsenal, having one.

“I think it is going to be a big bonus if we can keep him fit,” Arteta continued. “He is a special character and hopefully we can see him on the pitch finally.”

Hopefully.

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