Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has received a huge boost over the fitness of a key midfielder.

The Gunners have been working to get Thomas Partey fully fit after an early season injury.

The 30-year-old had a groin problem that finally let up before the Gunners' win over Manchester City before the international break.

Fans had been concerned at seeing Partey come off at half-time for Ghana in a 2-0 loss to Mexico.

"Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes," Ghana boss Chris Sutton told reporters this past week.

"He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game and played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes."