6 Arsenal alternatives for Thomas Partey in midfield

Dani Ceballos

The most likely candidate for Arteta to go with is his fellow Spaniard, who hasn’t played any part in the last five Premier League outings. Three of those were missed through injury, while he bizarrely wasn’t called from the bench against Villa after Partey was forced off. We can only presume that was fitness related.

What could Dani Ceballos offer? Depending on which example you use, a variety of elements.

Back at Elland Road he was mostly awful, misplacing passes short or long and being completely overrun in midfield. In his most recent start, the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, there was a period in the first half where he was playing like someone with a point to prove.

His one-touch moves were slick, and he produced the two best passes of his Arsenal career in the space of 20 minutes. It didn’t last, however, and he reverted to his old ways.

Without Partey Arsenal lack the press resistant midfielder, but in Ceballos they at least have someone who can, on occasion, bypass that press with a pass.

Having not played in the last five games there is the obvious worry that he’ll be lacking match sharpness, which against statistically the hardest runners in the division is understandably nerving.