Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Thoma Partey after Arsenal midfielder forced to come off in FA Cup loss to Man City

MIKEL ARTETA says Thomas Partey will have an MRI scan after limping off during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester City.

The Premier League leaders were knocked out of the competition as Nathan Ake sealed a 1-0 win for their closest title rivals.

However, the Gunners suffered a huge scare as their influential Ghanaian midfielder, 29, suffered a blow to his ribs during the opening period.

Partey was taken off at the break and replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga.

And afterwards his manager admitted he did not want to “take any risks” with his star.

Arteta said: “He felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks, so he could not continue.

“He had some discomfort and it was getting worse and worse, so he could not continue. He wasn’t comfortable to continue.

“Obviously tomorrow, the day after he will have to have an MRI scan and see what he has.”

Arteta will now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the damage, especially with fellow midfielder Mohamed Elneny also out with a knee problem.

Arsenal have been trying to bring in reinforcements to bolster the middle of the park this transfer window and have had an opening bid rejected by Brighton for Moises Caicedo.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

The Ecuadorian World Cup ace, 21, has now begged the Seagulls via a bombshell social media post to leave him leave with talks between the two clubs set to continue.

When asked about a move for Caicedo, Arteta added: “You know that I am not going to comment on any players until anything is done, and I will continue like that.

“As I said before, we have been pretty active in the market.

“We have some necessities and if something else is available, the club is willing to try to do it when it is reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad.”