"Unfortunately..." - Arsenal boss Arteta provides Partey injury update

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has given an update on the injury suffered by midfielder Thomas Partey after he missed Wednesday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The Gunners lost the lead of the Premier League for the first time since matchweek two as they suffered defeat at the Emirates Stadium, despite Bukayo Saka's first half penalty.

They went into the half-time interval at 1-1, but goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland secured a vital win for Pep Guardiola's side.

They are now top of the division on goal difference, although Arsenal have a game in hand.

The Gunners were without Partey for the clash, with the Ghana international having suffered a muscular injury. He was pictured in training at London Colney on Tuesday, with The Athletic claiming pre-match that a late setback prevented him from playing against City.

Arsenal's official social media accounts, meanwhile, revealed that Partey was not included as a precaution due to a thigh injury.

It is the first Premier League game the 30-year-old has missed since the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 4.

After the match, Arteta gave an update on the injury.

Arteta provides Partey injury update

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta explained: "We don't know [how severe]. It's what happens - it's part of football. There are no excuses.

"I think Jorginho played a really good game, and we'll have to assess Thomas to see how bad it is. Very late, very, very late [the fitness call on Partey]."

Prior to the match, the Spaniard revealed what caused the midfielder to miss out. He told Prime Video: "It's what happens in football, players get injuries. Unfortunately he felt something in his back muscle and he wasn't available to play today.

"We brought [Jorginho] here for these occasions because this was a possibility, and we planned for that."