Arsenal suffer Thomas Partey injury blow

Arsenal have suffered an injury blow with Thomas Partey expected to miss the opening weeks of the new Premier League season.

The Ghana international suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Chelsea. He was substituted before half-time.

Following the game, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the concern is serious, and does not look good from initial judgement.

Goal.com claims that Partey won't be available for the season opener at Brentford, and could miss the next couple of games as well.

The news will come as a blow for the Gunners, who have struggled to get the best out of Partey due to short-term injuries.

Granit Xhaka is likely to partner Mohamed Elneny in midfield when the Gunners face off against Brentford on August 13.

Arteta has other options including summer signing Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgian could make his debut off the bench.

Arsenal have signed Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Ben White this summer. They are expected to make more signings.