Huge Arsenal double injury boost! Mikel Arteta provides promising updates on Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber amid long-term absences

Timber may recover from an ACL injury before the season ends, Arteta has acknowledged. The Dutch international, who joined from Ajax in the summer, won numerous accolades for his preseason exploits. Sadly, he hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in the first Premier League match of the season against Nottingham Forest.

As for Partey, Arteta has hinted that the midfielder could make his return to action against Newcastle on Saturday evening. The midfielder has made only four appearances in the Premier League this season having suffered with a number of problems.

Talking during his press conference, Arteta said [via football.london]: "Will Timber be able to return before the end of the season? I really hope so. He’s doing really well. He’s been with some players on the pitch. He’s going to start to do some bits with us on the pitch in the next week or so. Then we’ll have to see how he’s doing, his confidence level, his fitness level. Hopefully, the answer will be yes.

"Will Partey return this week? Let’s see. We have another session today. He’s been out for many, many months now. We need to really nail the timing of when he has enough in the tank to compete. But I think he’s very close."

Timber has been making progress and made his first steps back out onto the grass during the mid-season training camp in Dubai. Since then, the 22-year-old has intensified his recuperation. As for Partey, his absence has become far too common an occurrence for the Gunners but due to Declan Rice and Jorginho's addition over the last 18 months, Partey's importance in the squad has deteriorated.

The Gunners will continue their battle for the title when they take on Newcastle United on Saturday, February 24. They will look to hit the ground running as they look to get over their Champions League loss to Porto earlier.