Arsenal dropped an injury news update on Saturday evening that raised hopes everywhere that Thomas Partey could play some part against Manchester City on Sunday.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

It seems highly unlikely that Thomas Partey will return to teh Arsenal squad for the game against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday. It was reported that he was likely to miss both legs against Benfica so it seems improbably he would return for the one in between.

That being said, Arsenal’s latest update said, “Thomas is progressing well from a strain to his hamstring against Aston Villa on 6 February and will continue to be assessed ahead of Sunday’s match.” That seems cruel if he has no chance.

They also included a picture of him at London Colney. Rather teasingly, it seems like he is watching on rather than taking part, although it’s hard to know for sure:

Thomas Partey watching on at Arsenal training
Thomas Partey watching on at Arsenal training [pic via Arsenal]
Alex Runarsson is also out of action, not that he would have seen any, anyway. The keeper has picked up a knee injury and is ‘undergoing further assessment,” which doesn’t sound too optimistic.

Hopefully it’s nothing to serious for him.