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Mikel Arteta says both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are ‘in the best possible state they can be’ ahead of Arsenal’s north London derby clash against Tottenham on Sunday.
Xhaka is back from suspension after his red card in the Gunners’ 5-0 defeat at the hands of Man City in August, and also tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after.
Arteta will have a decision to make on whether the Swiss international comes straight back into the side this weekend, with the likes of Sambi Lokonga impressing this season.
But the Gunners boss was assured that Xhaka is in good shape ahead of the weekend.
‘He came back and he was fine because he really looks after himself,’ said Arteta.
‘He was training and as he always is, he gives you the maximum and the best possible attitude to compete and win matches.’
Partey was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for the midweek Carabao Cup win over Wimbledon, but Arteta explained that the midfielder ‘demanded’ to play to build up his fitness.
The Ghana international missed the opening stages of the campaign due to an injury picked up in pre-season, but returned as a substitute in the win over Norwich.
When quizzed on whether Xhaka and Partey are 100 per cent ready to start, Arteta said on Friday: ‘Well, they are in the best possible state that they can be. Obviously, they’ve both had different issues in the last few weeks. Thomas with a big injury and Granit with a suspension.
‘Ideally, you want players with more of a run of games and to be a little bit more consistent in terms of minutes, but they are both available.’
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Source: Metro Sport
