ARSENAL welcome Benfica to the Emirates on Thursday night in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
With the tie poised at 1-1 Mikel Arteta will play a strong team and could welcome Thomas Partey back sooner than first expected.
Mikel Arteta will play a strong team against Benfica at the Emirates
The Ghanaian picked up a hamstring injury during the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa in February.
But having returned to training this week, Arteta revealed he could start against Benfica after a late fitness test.
The Spaniard said: “Thomas is very close. He’s got a final test today in training.
“If he’s feeling good, he will be available to play the match.”
At the back, Arteta will be without Rob Holding after a concussion during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The Arsenal boss added: “Regarding Rob, he’s not available.
“He had a concussion, we tested him and he’s completely fine but obviously now we need to follow the protocols and he won’t be able to travel.”
Pablo Mari played alongside Holding at the weekend but Arteta could use Thursday’s match to give Gabriel and David Luiz some game time.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Arteta could use the competition to give some fringe players game time
Emile Smith Rowe should also return to the starting XI after a rest against City.
But Alexandre Lacazette is expected to be benched again with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in attacking midfield behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny could also start if Arteta decides to shake things up a little.
But with the Gunners boss suggesting the Europa League is the only route to Champions League qualification for them this season, he is likely to pick a stronger XI.
Arteta said: “I think while mathematically everything is possible, in football you have to try so hard.
“We’re going to do that in the league for sure. It’s true that the Europa League gives you a completely different route and is a competition that we want to carry on playing, and try to win it.
“Tomorrow is another opportunity to make a step forward.
“The better we are in the Europa League, the better we’re going to be performing in the league and vice-versa. We need to be alive in both competitions.”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Thomas Partey returns to full training at Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
