With the news that Thomas Partey has returned to full Arsenal training, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League and the Champions League have been significantly boosted.
Finally, there is a chance we may finally witness a Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Martin Odegaard midfield, but will it happen frequently?
I don’t think so, as Charles Watts’ recent comments about Partey’s future suggest otherwise. The Arsenal-affiliated journalist suggests Arsenal plans to sell the Ghana international in the summer, which leaves me with the impression that he won’t play a key role in the next few months. Mikel Arteta wouldn’t want to rely on him only to have him leave in the summer and miss him, as he does miss Xhaka in his midfield.
According to Charles Watts, Arsenal may have “moved on” from Partey and would release him for a reasonable fee. “I think there’s a good chance that Thomas Partey will be sold this summer anyway,” he stated.
“There was a good chance he would have been sold last summer, but no bids arrived for him, so he couldn’t be sold, but I think if a decent bid comes in for him this summer, then I think Arsenal will certainly consider it.
“He’s only got about a year left on his contract; he’ll be well into his thirties; obviously, we know he’s got his long line of injury issues and so it just makes sense that Arsenal would consider it.
“I’m not saying they’ll definitely sell him; it depends on the bid, but if one comes in and it’s decent, then it wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
Declan Rice has solidified his place in Arsenal’s starting lineup with each passing game.
Partey may find himself filling in for Declan Rice, and with Arteta probably keen to ease him out of his project, the best solution may be for him to “manage” his minutes by not playing him regularly, aiming to keep him healthy as a backup if an injury occurs in midfield.
That being said, if you were Arteta and Thomas Partey wasn’t injury-prone, would you have let him go?
Darren N
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Thomas we’ve missed you dearly
The last line question is a pointless hypothetical one and therefore not worthy of an answer, as I for just one Gooner, am interested only in REALITIES AND NOT “WHAT IF’S”!.
It would be desirable if article writers did not include questions that do not apply to the REAL situation at Arsenal.
The question may not apply or be relevant to you but but that does not subjugate it to irrelevance amongst the readers/fanbase
I belive it Is attempting to probe into whether Parteys woes are solely due to his injury woes or other factors such as age and personal/ non-proffessional issues
Pathey’s return would boost our midfield options no doubt. It’s hard for Arteta not to use a fit Pathey considering we are also playing in UCL. I have no doubt he will be sold in the summer but other clubs needs to know he is fit and what he can do. I see Arteta reverting to using him in the place of White. There by making White a backup to Saliba and then Tomiyasu can interchange with Zinny in the left. But I am still waiting for when Arteta would consider Zinny in Xhaka’s position because he makes Arsenal midfield thick. I am happy we now have options in big games loading this year first with Liverpool.
Thomas Partey will not be the first midfielder been put on the market, so I can’t see any special arrangement making out for him, what is paramount is for the world class player to remain fit that Arsenal stays competitive in the huge fixtures.
If the Ghanaian legs hold for the remaining six months our chances of lifting that big ears mug are as good as any.
I fully agree with Jon about some people turning their imaginations into reality. I don’t see the logic of this article! Does it make any sense to suggest that a manager would stop playing a good player like Partey because he has intentions of selling him? What logic would that be? Secondly, is it a must that Partey must be sold even if he overcomes his injuries? Do we assume that Partey is predestined for the exit door no matter how well he performs? I wonder how some writers get that kind of information. I believe I Good writer should think before he writes. It is ridiculous for anyone to just write anything they hear without subjecting it to serious scrutiny. Any piece of writing must be subjected to such questions as: Is this true? Does it make sense? What will the readers make of it? Sometimes this kind of writing is due to lack of respect for the readers! Why should somebody imagine that everyone else is a dimwit and will take in anything? What is the motivation for this kind of thinking? Must we write for the sake of it? I believe we deserve better.
David and Jon – as you both know, I read and digest both of your inputs and, on the whole, agree with David and disagree with Jon – such is life.
However, I have to disagree with both of you here, not because of the content, which I find as you both do, but with the options available after reading it.
I have always scan read and, if I find the material grabs my attention, I start again and digest it… as I do with some of the contributers on JA.
But, no one is forcing me to read the articles and it usually seems, by the amount of comments received, a thought provoking article brings a lot of comments and a “page filler” doesn’t.
There were two previous articles that I felt justified to comment on negatively, but I usually get “hooked” on the diverse replies (such as AMN being described as average) as much as the article itself.
I’m sure being on holiday is chilling me out, but, come what may, I need my daily dosage of JA, be it good or bad and I suspect you two need it as well!!
Last summer we wanted 40mil, only Saudi teams were in for him for that price, and he did not want to go there. If he does not play from now till end of the season – no one will come for him with substantial money. Rather play him, and sell him in the summer should be the goal, hopefully he agrees Saudi deal this time.
It’d be very risky for Arteta to sit out a player of Partey’s ilk due to the fact we might or will lose some games and then Partey becomes a weapon for the antis to take out on Arteta. I think Partey will play more often than not but he might be managed a bit when he first returns from injury
Partey leaving in summer transfer window will have no impact on how Arteta utilises him until then
Jorginho the same
while both are the wrong side of their best days, sadly age takes it toll and neither are good enough going forward to compete for the ultimate prize
in the next 4 months though Arteta will maximise what he can from all members of the squad, Partey no exception
after all, what would be the point of side lining him
get the best we can
not like there others he is blocking the path of (unfortunately)
Arteta will do whatever it takes, including Partey, to win as much as possible until season end
silly statement really
The article does not make sense. If fit Partey HAS to play.
Agree Reggie, it’s what we’ve been waiting for since Declan arrived!
👍
Why would Arteta act against the best interests of the team (and himself) to leave such an important player asset, in Thomas Partey, on the bench, when Arsenal is striving for as high a finish in the EPL, as possible if not first place.
It is hard to find anyone on JA, who doesn’t believe that Arsenal’s best midfield (when aĺl are fit and available) is Odegaard, Rice and Partey.
Questions need to be asked if Arsenal shoots itself in the foot by sitting Partey on the bench.
Partey hasn’t played all year long. If Arsenal expect to get any value for him this summer, he will certainly need playing time to prove he is still capable of consistently contributing at a high level. Shelving him until June would really diminish his value.
If Partey regains his fitness then it would be foolhardy to sideline him.
His inability to remain reasonably fit is becoming a hindrance, however. At his age, it’s unlikely that Partey’s fitness issues will improve so it’s down to Arteta and Edu to make the difficult decision at the end of the season on how to proceed.
It pains me to consider letting him go but I wouldn’t be surprised if Partey is sold.
No doubt our midfield is stronger, better, and more balanced with Partey. May as well use him now even if he has no future at Arsenal.
A real shame injuries have marred a promising career at Arsenal.