Thomas Partey’s former coach, Tony Lokko, has compared the new Arsenal signing to the club’s legend, Patrick Vieira, but he claims that the Ghanaian is more skilful than the former Arsenal captain.
Since Vieira left the Gunners, the club has struggled to find a defensive midfielder that can play box to box as the Frenchman did for them.
Several players have been signed by the club, but they have all failed to make the desired impact.
Partey emerged as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe over the past two seasons and he was one of Arsenal’s top transfer target in this transfer window.
The Gunners struggled but they eventually signed him on the final day of the window.
He is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw for Mikel Arteta and with time, he is expected to show how good he is and why Arsenal activated his release clause.
Lokko was speaking to the Sunday Mail and he said: “I believe he’s going to have a big impact.
“I see him play like Vieira. But he is more skilful.
“Vieira was a ball-winner but, with Thomas, he is more offensive.
“Thomas is kind-hearted. He is not the type to get angry. Very focused. A good listener.
“He always wants to learn more. And he will not relent on something until he is able to do it. Now he has.
“He is now the Thomas that I expected.”
Very very very impressed with him, you can see he has presence, abilty, speed of thought, reads danger, can actually win the battle and dominate. The problem is xhaka and Elnenny offer him nothing in back up or compliment. It was one game bit you could see against Leicester, he was head and shoulders above anything we possess. AMN perhaps should be tried with him to form a strong core to work from, maybe even Luiz pushed in midfield but i doubt Arteta will try that. Happy we have the beast.
We need to trust him to dominate play and give him time to learn the playing habits of other players. With his presence in the team, Ceballos, for example, could be allowed more freedom to play ahead through the lines providing more linkup play and support with the forward line. In time this will address back/side passing woes.
Too early to compare him with one of the most important Invincibles, but his initial impact reminds me of how Patrick introduced himself to the fans – let’s hope he continues in the legend’s foot steps.
Diaby would be the closest to Viera…
Diaby is better in finishing compared to Viera
Unfortunately hes injury prone…..he was a real talent and successor to Viera
Arsenal have Partey as the box to box midfielder, now they need a similar DM to Gilberto Silva and similar AM’s to Pires, Ljundberg and Parlour.
Typical Arsenal in that it is not often the team comes together, without missing pieces and balance.
Partey better than Vieira? Oh! Please talking is so cheap