Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is reportedly set to make his comeback from a thigh injury in Sunday's Premier League clash with Brentford.
The Ghana international is an integral cog in Mikel Arteta's side when fit, but he has struggled to stay out of the treatment room during his two years in North London.
Since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2020, Partey has amassed two goals and four assists in 62 appearances for Arsenal, but he has missed a further 36 matches through injury.
The 29-year-old sustained his latest thigh injury last month, and he has subsequently been absent for the Gunners' last four matches in all competitions.
Earlier this month, manager Arteta conceded that Partey would take "weeks" to recover from his latest setback, which triggered Arsenal's unsuccessful pursuit of a new midfielder on transfer deadline day.
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However, the midfielder has been called up to the Ghana squad for the international break, and Goal now reports that he may be able to return to action for Arsenal as soon as this weekend.
The Gunners will be taking on Brentford on Sunday lunchtime in the Premier League, and there is hope that Partey will be at Arteta's disposal for that capital derby.
The report adds that Partey has now returned to full training with his teammates and was even in with a chance of making the cut against Everton on September 11 before the postponement of Premier League fixtures.
Whether Partey will be considered for minutes from the first whistle is another question entirely, with Albert Sambi Lokonga ready to deputise alongside Granit Xhaka once again.
While Partey is in with a chance of returning before the international break, fellow lynchpin Mohamed Elneny could remain sidelined until the New Year as he battles back from his own hamstring injury.
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Elneny is joined on the long-term absentee list by Reiss Nelson, who suffered a serious quadriceps injury in pre-season and will not be back in action until after the international break.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe and Cedric Soares are both battling to recover from knocks in time for the trip to the Brentford Community Stadium after both missing the 2-1 Europa League win over FC Zurich last weekend.
During that game, the news broke of Queen Elizabeth II's death at the age of 96, which saw football matches from grassroots to elite levels postponed as a mark of respect.
With a significant police presence needed for the Queen's state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, Arsenal's next European fixture against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday has also been called off amid security concerns.
However, the Premier League have confirmed that the Gunners' clash with Brentford will go ahead, but the domestic encounter has been moved from a 2.00pm kickoff to 12.00pm.
Ben Knapton
