Arsenal receive key injury boost Mikel Arteta believes could "transform the team"

Arsenal are ready to welcome back Thomas Partey, with the club confirming he is in contention to face Newcastle United this weekend.

The Gunners have eased the pressure on Mikel Arteta, after winning three Premier League games on the spin over the festive period.

They will now look to take that form into the FA Cup, with the Spaniard desperate to retain the first trophy he won as a manager.

And in a major boost for the Gunners, Partey is in line for his first appearance since picking up a thigh injury at the start of December.

The £45million summer signing has endured a frustrating start to his career in England, making just six appearances in the opening months of the campaign.

But ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle, Partey has been a full participant in training and could be back in the XI.

On Thursday, Arteta said: "We will assess after that whether he's completely fully ready to start or participate against Newcastle or if we're gonna leave it another few days for the Palace game.

Partey hasn't played since limping out of last month's North London Derby defeat to Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

"But he's been training really good. He's comfortable. He's not aware of the injury right now. He's done more than what he did after the injury when he played against Spurs.

"So he's in a good space, a good mood and you can see the player he is when he's training."

That update followed comments from Arteta that suggested the former Atletico Madrid midfielder was a player who had the talents to transform the entire team.

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Mikel Arteta believes Partey's return could spark another massive upturn in Arsenal's form (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"We are in January and I think he's played two and a half games,” he said last week. “That's all and he was our main signing. We've been missing him," said Arteta. "He brings something different to the team, he's a player with an enormous talent.

"But as well someone that can transform the team the way we want. It's great if we can have him, keep him healthy and I think he will contribute in a really positive way."

Elsewhere, Gabriel is still waiting to complete Covid protocols before his return after testing positive at the end of last month.

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