Injured Arsenal midfielder stepping up his fitness

Injured Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is stepping up his fitness programme following an extended absence with a thigh injury.

The Ghana international has been sidelined since last month with the setback and he may not return before the start of the New Year.

He has started working in the club's gym as part of the rehabilitation, but the Gunners are unlikely to rush him back to first-team action.

Partey has suffered two separate injuries this term and the north London giants will want to be cautious with him going forward.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether the midfielder travels with Ghana for the African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.

The tournament is scheduled to start from January 11 and Ghana are likely to call up Partey if he returns to training with Arsenal.

Arsenal are currently second in the league standings, just one point behind Liverpool. They host Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.