When Arsenal bought Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid in 2020, the Ghanain came with an impeccable reputation and an injury-free record, and was fully expected to come straight in and boss our midfield straight from the off.
But after leaving Madrid, due to the Covid problems he went straight off to internationals and then straight back into the Premier league. It is little surprise he came down with injury problems which have never really left him. Last season, he only managed 24 appearances for the Gunners, and he had just reached that total again before succumbing to yet another season-ending injury.
Thomas he has been one of our best players since Christmas and Mikel Arteta has been speaking about how much he has to change his tactical setup without his midfield general, and how important Partey is to the team as a whole. ‘The stats are there and they are unquestionable,’ Arteta told the Daily Mail.
‘The win rate when Thomas is there is higher. It is something that is not good for us because in the last two seasons he has not been there as much as we want.’
‘We need him to play in that role on his own, with the quality he brings and the experience that he brings. And the fact he brings things that are unique that we want.
‘Then we can accommodate players in other positions that for them are more relevant and can determine games in the way that we can.
‘Otherwise we have to consider and improve with the players we have by using them in a different way, changing formation and finding ways to compensate,’
But the fact is that we simply have to find ways to win without Thomas in the side until he returns, which will probably not be until next season, but Arteta has to balance the risk of bringing him back too early once again, no matter how much the player is keen to be involved. The boss continued: ‘He has been out injured and sometimes he pushes too far in order to play and he gets injured again. He is willing to help again to play this season.
‘We don’t know if that is going to be possible, but for sure it won’t be because of lack of intention from him,’
So now we know how important Arteta thinks Thomas is to his side, and if you can imagine having a fit Partey for the whole of next season, plus a couple of high profile super-signings, how much more we could improve on this season’s pickings?
Sam P
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In fairness Elneny has come in and been fantastic so long may it continue. OT is anyone watching Leeds game they are cluttering up the pitch with junk a cleaner will be needed at half time 😝
Even when watching the great wins against Chelsea and Man U, it was clearly visible how much Arsenal miss Partey, even with Elneny doing a great job, and Grant Xhaka playing like Pirlo.
Oh yeah.
Partey key to us.
Xhaka stepped in vastly underrated by some people.
MA says that the stats are unquestionable,but surely he also needs to take into account who else was not playing when TP was injured,the opponents…I understand that TP is an important player but him not playing cannot be the only reason why we lost those games.
Great to see an article that quotes the manager and his views / support for a player.
Pat, perhaps you could do the same for Xhaka and Elneny – just so the blinkered fans regarding these two players can comment on MA’s views?
If Partey is so important to ur tactics….. Go into the market in the summer and get a similar or even better player than Partey…. So that when he get injured we don’t have to worry anymore
That’s why I said one more DM to support partey and we are done in Mid
And if one, or both get injured?
Why of course, Xhaka and Elneny!!!!
He and tierney’s injuries can be very fraustrating but we have to take it as part of the game but we need a bit of luck in this aspect like pool and city not always having their keymen out injured…… Squad depht will be required to compete in all fronts as from next season cos we are only able to escape disaster due to the fact that we have just the pl top 4 finish to play for,i guess the board were aware of this before trimming the squad in january.
Partey is history; he is out injured and not likely to return for the rest of the season. Can’t see the point in the partey-worship at this stage of the season. How about showing some love for second best Egyptian in the league, Mo Elneny….perhaps even signing him up for another three years.
100% agree Rfrancis – Xhaka just been voted player of the month, with Elneny a very close second.
Just goes to show that these “dross” players are actually worth their places.
Has Elneny EVER been injured?
KT and Tomi are an upgrade defensively to Cedric and Nuno.
Partey’s presence compensate one of the at least, Tomi obviously.
Lokonga or Xhaka (or Elneny) cannot be alone in midfield with ESR and Martin as CMs and Saka and Gabi as wingers. They are not helping enough in defense in 433 formation.
MA needs to balance his side defensively. Tomi’s return would help. Pairing two in midfield, let’s say Xhaka and ElNeny would help. Introducing Holding to lineup helps.
Do not get me wrong, I love Partey and wish him speedy full recovery but he is not a single factor to not winning.