Thomas Partey has been one of the key players in Arsenal’s success this season

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has warned that he cannot risk Thomas Partey’s fitness in tomorrow (Wednesday) night’s ‘game in hand’ against Everton.

The Gunners are desperate to get one of the players of the season back in the starting XI but the Ghana international has been struggling with a thigh injury which has stopped him from starting the last three league matches.

“He hasn’t trained much, he’s only had a session,” said Arteta today. “He will train today so it is what it is. He was out for a few weeks and he needs to get the rhythm.”

Partey had an injury-plagued start to life at the Emirates Stadium after arriving from Atletico Madrid but he has shed his ‘sick note’ label by putting in a run of strong performances this season, and forming a tough alliance in the centre of the park with Granit Xhaka.

Arteta is happy with the acquisition of Jorginho from Chelsea last month and his new recruit played a crucial role in the comeback win over Aston Villa. Nevertheless, if fit, Partey retains a ‘first name on the teamsheet’ status with the Gunners boss.

He managed just six minutes sat the King Power Stadium on Saturday when he was brought on to help see out a crucial 1-0 win against Leicester City.