Chelsea boost as £40m Arsenal star is struggling to see out games on international duty ahead of derby

Arsenal are hoping that Thomas Partey will come back from international duty unscathed after being replaced in the first half of Ghana's game against Mexico.

Partey has already missed six games in the league this season but returned in time to help Arsenal beat Manchester City before the international break.

It was his long pass that kick-started what was eventually a deflected winner for the Gunners in a close encounter at the Emirates. He then travelled immediately with his national team to the United States and lasted only the first 45 minutes as Ghana lost 2-0.

When fit there is no doubt that the Ghanaian is one of Arsenal's best players and both Chelsea and Arsenal will be keeping an eye on how he copes when Ghana take on the United States of America.

The Ghanaian manager, Chris Hughton, provided an update on the midfielder's situation, claiming his substitution was pre-planned to calm nerves. He told reporters: “Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes.

“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 played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”

Arsenal already have some injury concerns with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, both of whom were forced to pull out of their respective international squads. Leandro Trossard also withdrew from the Belgian camp before the international break.