ARSENAL have been dealt a major injury blow with Mikel Arteta confirmed Thomas Partey's ankle injury is 'not looking good'.
The Gunners kick-off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign in just 12 days – making the short trip to newly-promoted Brentford on Friday August 13.
But Arteta may be without star midfielder Partey, 28, for the game.
The Ghanaian suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury following a clash with Ruben Loftus-Cheek during Sunday's 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat against Chelsea.
Partey was taken off in the first-half, with the Arsenal man set to have a scan on Monday.
But after the game, Arteta confirmed the worst, revealing things are 'not looking good' for Partey – who also missed a chunk of his debut season at Arsenal through injury.
The Gunners chief said: "I just had a talk with the doc. He'll have a scan tomorrow.
"At the moment it's not looking good because he was in pain and could not continue.”
Arteta has been given a lift though, after he revealed Granit Xhaka will STAY at the club.
The Swiss midfielder, 28, has been linked with a move to Jose Mourinho's Roma all summer with his five-year stay at the Emirates seemingly over.
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The Spanish chief said: “Granit is going to stay with us. He is a key member of our squad.
“He only trained for two days but still wanted to play in this game and I think that is a very clear commitment from him that he wants to be here.”
Xhaka will likely take the place of Partey in the Arsenal midfield against Brentford.
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