Arsenal have confirmed that they will be without Thomas Partey for Sunday’s trip to Leeds.
The summer signing from Atletico Madrid has impressed since arriving at the Emirates, after the Gunners paid his release clause.
But the 27-year-old was replaced at half-time in the 3-0 loss to Aston Villa before the international break with a thigh strain in his left leg.
Now, after keeping him out of contention during the international break, the Ghanaian is still not ready to return at Elland Road against Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Mikel Arteta had hoped that Partey would be OK to return against the Whites.
Instead, he will continue to be assessed by medical staff and continue his rehab, with a potential return against Molde in the Europa League next week.
He joins Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac on the sidelines, both currently following Covid-19 protocols after testing positive while on international duty.
Arsenal have confirmed that both players are asymptomatic.
Long term injury absentee Gabriel Martinelli is preparing to hand Arteta a boost however.
The young striker has been sidelined with a serious knee injury, but is stepping up his progress in training.
Arsenal now plan to reintegrate him into full sessions with the first-team over the next two weeks.
That will be a boost to Arteta’s goal-shy attack, having scored just nine goals in eight Premier League games so far.
Defender Pablo Mari is back in full training after being sidelined since June with an ankle ligament injury.
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