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Key Arsenal star set to return to training, could be fit to face Benfica

By on February 15, 2021

kieran tierney arsenal

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Kieran Tierney is set to resume training this week and could have a chance of being fit to face Benfica on Thursday night.

Tierney picked up a knee injury last month and while the issue was initially thought to be minor, it’s proven to be more serious than first thought and the full-back has been forced to miss Arsenal’s last six matches in all competitions.

Arteta said last week that the club were being careful not to rush Tierney back too soon but it looks like he’s finally been given the green light to step-up his recovery as the boss has confirmed he’ll resume training this week.

Tierney will be assessed over the coming days and while the boss says is ‘unlikely’ the Scottish international will be available to face Benfica, the full-back has a better chance of being fit for the Europa League clash than Thomas Partey.

The midfielder missed Sunday’s 4-2 win over Leeds United after limping off with a thigh injury during Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa last weekend and it looks as though Partey will now sit out the trip to Rome on Thursday night.

Speaking after the game yesterday, Arteta told Arsenal.com:

on whether there’s a chance Thomas Partey or Kieran Tierney could be available this coming week…
It seems unlikely at the moment. But probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran, because probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team. But I don’t know how it is going to evolve when he gets a little bit closer to training with the group.

Cedric Soares has done a fine job filling-in at left-back during Tierney’s absence but it would still be a major boost if the former Celtic star was fit to face Benfica as we’ve missed his attacking impetus down the wing.

However, Partey’s absence will be a big blow and his niggling injury issues are a concern as he just can’t seen to get a run of games together without breaking down again. Let’s hope this latest issue clears-up quickly as we’ve got a difficult run of games coming up.