Arsenal: 3 alternatives to Thomas Partey

1. Ibrahim Sangare

Where Denis Zakaria is more defensively stout and Matteo Guendouzi is a superb distributor and deep-lying conductor, Toulouse’s Ibrahim Sangare is the most dynamic of the trio. The Ivorian, who turned 22 in December, is a superb ball-carrier. He possesses excellent close control, a dynamic acceleration, and is powerful with the ball at his feet, shrugging off defenders with ease.

1.53 dribbles completed per 90, a progressive carry distance of 136 yards per 90, and 1.2 touches in the penalty area per 90 all help to prove that he is willing to break forward when given the opportunity to. This is something that the Arsenal midfield has missed this season, with only Joe Willock consistently able to carry the ball from deep, past defenders, and into dangerous areas of the pitch. As a distributor, he is very able, too. Sangare plays 6.24 progressive passes per 90, a massive 5.12 passes into the final third per 90, maintains a completion rate of just short of 80%.

Perhaps most importantly, the midfielder reportedly has a year left on his contract and, per the Express, will be available in a cut-price deal after Toulouse were relegated from Ligue 1 with the season suspended entirely this week. Toulouse had valued Sangare at £22 million, still half of what Partey would cost. He might now be available for half as much.

Per reports, Thomas Partey is still Arsenal’s number one target. And there is plenty of reason for it. But should the deal fall through, there are other options available that the club may consider.