Mikel Arteta provides Liverpool verdict on Thomas Partey return as Arsenal hope for support

Mikel Arteta provides the latest Arsenal team news for Arsenal ahead of their trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League in his pre-match press conference.

Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday. After Unai Emery’s side beat Manchester City in midweek, it will be a statement for the Gunners to secure yet another three points on the road at Villa Park.

However, the side has been hit with the recent injury of Takehiro Tomiyasu. It came at the worst possible time with the Japanese international in red-hot form and would have been a valuable asset for the trio of tough sides up next for Arteta’s team.

After the Tuesday night dramatics at Kenilworth Road, Arteta provided an update on his team going into the weekend. Gabriel Martinelli received quite a few kicks during the game and came off.

Mikel Arteta however was upbeat when asked on the Brazilian. “I think everybody is going to be okay,” he said.

He did, however, provide more information on the latest with Thomas Partey who has been missing since undergoing a procedure. Suggestions had emerged he might make Liverpool but Arteta was not optimistic about this as a potential return.

“We don’t know he is getting a very good evolution of the injury but it’s a bit early to get a timeframe. That will be incredibly fast if he’s able to do that so we will have to wait.”