Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an update on Thomas Partey after the club confirmed that the midfielder would not be fit to face Leeds United this weekend.
The 27-year-old joined the club this summer from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £45million, and has already made a big impact in north London.
However, in the Gunners' final game before the international break, he left the field early with a thigh problem.
Partey was unable to meet up with the Ghana squad for their international fixtures over the last two weeks, and had hoped to be back ready for the game at Elland Road.
However, Arsenal confirmed that he would not be ready to face Marcelo Bielsa's side, who will be targeting a return to form after their 4-1 defeat against Crystal Palace last time out.
Arteta says that Partey has been suffering with a "significant" injury, but has done well over the last couple of weeks and made progress - though the club are taking precautions about when he will return.
"He had an injury very early in the game, he wanted to continue the second half," Arteta told reporters.
"We knew it was a significant injury. He's done very well and he's working very hard, he wants to be available.
"Hopefully we can get him back soon but it's an area we need to be careful and we need to be protective with the player."
Arsenal are already without Mohamed Elneny in midfield after the Egyptian tested positive for COVID-19 over the international break.
Granit Xhaka looks set to start at Elland Road, and could be joined by Dani Ceballos, who refuted reports on social media this week over an alleged bust-up with team-mate David Luiz.
