Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Thomas Partey has suffered a ‘little setback’ in his return from injury, ruling the midfielder out of the Gunners crucial Premier League clash against table toppers Liverpool this weekend. 

The 30-year-old has been absent with a thigh problem since last October, meaning the midfielder has missed 20 games  in all competitions for the North Londoners.

The Ghana international underwent surgery on his thigh after sustaining the injury in the final few moments of a training session prior to the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Sevilla. 

Pictures of Partey back in training last week raised hopes a return to first-team action could be coming - however, a recurrence of the problem has handed the former Atletico Madrid anchor a setback on his road to recovery.

‘I’m not a doctor but I can try to explain. He felt something again in a very similar area and he wasn’t able to train for the last few days,’ the Arsenal head coach added.

Arsenal are also missing Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira through injury, while Mohamed Elneny remains unavailable despite Egypt’s elimination at the Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of DR Congo.