Arsenal have been boosted by the news that Thomas Partey should be fit to start against Liverpool when Mikel Arteta's side visit Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Ghanaian did not join up with his national side during the international break due to a muscle injury, but he has now recovered and is available for selection this weekend.

Arteta also has Folarin Balogun at his disposal following a bout of stomach cramps, although the youngster - whose future at the club remains uncertain - is unlikely to feature.

Instead, the Spaniard is likely to stick with both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front, and Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe - both of whom enjoyed encouraging international breaks with England - on the wings.

Thomas is expected to come straight back into the side in the middle of the park, with Albert Sambi Lokonga his most likely partner ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac remain sidelined for the Gunners, but Arteta otherwise has a fully-fit squad available.

Kieran Tierney will be pushing for a return to the starting XI ahead of Nuno Tavares, but the manager is unlikely to make too many tweaks to a winning formula.

That means that the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli may once again have to settle for a place on the bench from the start at Anfield.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Saka, Thomas, Lokonga, Smith Rowe; Lacazette; Aubameyang

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