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Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is unlikely to play again this season due to a thigh injury... as he reveals Alexandre Lacazette should be available for Southampton after missing training for 'private reasons'

Mikel Arteta has conceded Thomas Partey is now unlikely to play again this season as the midfielder continues to struggle with a thigh injury.

Partey picked up the problem in defeat by Crystal Palace earlier this month and missed last week’s defeat by Brighton too.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton, Arteta said: ‘The news is not looking very positive (for) his availability this season but we will have to wait and see. At the moment we are not very optimistic about it.’

Thomas Partey sustained the injury away at Selhurst Park at the start of the month

Arsenal are already without Kieran Tierney (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has been out with a calf problem.