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Arsenal have been handed a huge boost over the fitness of Thomas Partey by Ghana head coach Chris Sutton following Sunday's international friendly with Mexico.

Partey, 30, had been sidelined with a groin Injury before returning to Mikel Arteta's side in last weekend's Premier League win over Manchester City. The midfielder was one of many players in the treatment room at London Colney, with Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba all missing games.

The latter three were forced to withdraw from their respective national team, providing the Gunners with a reason for concern ahead of their London derby with Chelsea. In Partey's case, club physio Simon Murphy was sent on international duty with the holding midfielder to monitor his fitness.

Partey was then handed a place in Black Stars' starting XI in Ghana's 2-0 loss to Mexico on Sunday. The Arsenal star partnered Stephan Ambrosius in Hughton's midfield before being replaced at half-time.

The decision to take the 30-year-old off halfway through the clash in North Carolina had caused some to be left concerned over Partey's injury. However, Hughton has allayed those fears with an update on his fitness.

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"Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes," the former Norwich City and Brighton boss said. "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 and played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes."

Ghana are next in action on Wednesday morning when they face the USMNT in Nashville. Arteta and Arsenal will be hoping to see the midfielder return to England unscathed ahead of a busy schedule.

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