Mikel Arteta Handed Injury Boost Ahead Of Title Run-In

Arteta set to welcome back trio…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a timely injury boost ahead of an important period of the season with Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu set to return to the squad, the Daily Mail reports.

Partey has been absent for most of the campaign with groin and thigh problems, forcing him to go under the knife in November to cure the issue.

The 30-year-old suffered a setback a few weeks ago after returning to full training, causing the medical department to be cautious with his recovery.

Partey has been in full training for weeks without being included in a matchday squad. Mikel Arteta admits the coaching staff are looking to “nail the timing” in reintroducing the former Atletico Madrid man.

Zinchenko has been nursing a calf injury since being substituted at half-time during the victory against Liverpool earlier this month. In fairness to the Ukrainian international, he has been rather robust this season in terms of his availability.

The disappointing case in this report is undoubtedly Tomiyasu who can never seem to keep himself fit, despite featuring regularly for Japan during the Asian Cup last month.

The 25-year-old left for the tournament having just returned from a muscular problem as he entered the fray during that horrible display at Craven Cottage and seemingly aggravated the problem while in Qatar.

Arteta only has four reliable defenders available for selection and has been starting all of them across the back four in recent games.

Jakub Kiwior deserves huge praise for coming into the side and performing immediately with no sign of rustiness despite being on the fringes for months.

With a huge Champions League clash against Porto on the horizon amidst a razor-tight title race, the boss has made it clear that our chances in both competitions is linked with having a full squad available.

If, as the Daily Mail reports, we see Partey, Tomiyasu and Zinchenko return for the trip to Sheffield United next week, Jurrien Timber will be our only absentee.