Mikel Arteta issues worrying update on Thomas Partey

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey aggravated his previous injury during the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Ghana international had been out for the past four weeks with a thigh concern, but he made his comeback for the north London derby after just one day of first-team training.

He looked lively during the course of the opening half, but got himself injured prior to the half-time interval. Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed that the midfielder may have suffered a recurrence of his previous injury.

"He [Thomas Partey] has to stay on the pitch. It looks like the same injury he has already had, he will have an MRI," he was quoted as saying by Football.London.

The north London giants have experienced a dreadful Premier League campaign to date and they are languishing in the 15th spot with just 13 points on the table.

They are winless in the past four games where they have picked up just one point. The lack of goals has been a main concern. They have failed to score in five of the previous seven Premier League matches.