Partey misses out on the season opener against Brentford due to injury

Because of the ankle injury he suffered against Chelsea on Sunday,

Thomas Partey

is set to miss the opening of Arsenal's season. 

The Ghana international was substituted after only half an hour of Arsenal's 2-1 loss against the Blues in the first game of the

Mind Series competition

. 

After the game, Gunners coach Mikel Arteta said the injury

"didn't look good,"

and a checkup on Monday confirmed Partey would be out for a while.

As per sources close to the playmaker, the early findings of Monday's examination are ambiguous, and Partey is now likely to remain out for a few weeks. 

While it is disappointing that the 28-year-old will now miss at least the first match of the new season on August 13 against Brentford, there is some consolation that the first indicators suggest he should not be out long. 

After hurting his ankle tendons, the preliminary reports suggest that he will be out for "a few weeks," but that surgery will not be required. 

Partey will see another ankle physician later this week to determine the extent of his injuries and how long he will be out.

Partey will almost probably miss the Gunners' final pre-season game against Tottenham Hotspur in the Mind Series on Sunday. 

On Friday, August 13, he will also miss the start of the

season against newly-promoted Brentford. 

Partey will be hoping to play in at least one of Arsenal's next two games, against Chelsea on August 22 and Manchester City on August 28, if he does not encounter any obstacles. 

With

Granit Xhaka

continuing at the club after his mooted move to Roma fell through, Arteta has various alternatives in central midfield.

The most likely starting lineup against Brentford is Xhaka and

Mohamed Elneny

in midfield, while new recruit

Albert Sambi Lokonga

excelled off the substitute against Chelsea on Sunday. 

Also,

Joe Willock

, who Newcastle has targeted, might be involved.

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