Arsenal: Thomas Partey has been both disappointing and destructive

Thomas Partey Brilliance at Arsenal

The misplaced passes are not what was expected of Partey and require immediate improvement, but overall his accuracy this season sits on 87% (fbref), the same as Martin Odegaard and 3% shy of Granit Xhaka, who averages 12 more passes than him each game. It works out at about eight missed per game for the Ghanaian.

That demands to be higher, but there is someone like Ruben Neves, famed for his passing accuracy, who records lower.

It’s almost of his own doing, but scooping a simple pass out of play and ballooning an effort into the top tier clouds the judgement of what he does unbelievably well.

Partey averages 4.37 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes for Arsenal, far more than the next down the line. It’s the same for tackles made and won, both of which he sits top of by some margin. He makes the most in the defensive and middle third, boasting the best pressure success rate of all those at the club.

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What he doesn’t offer is regularly highlighted. What he does offer is outstanding defensive protection and positioning. Absorbing Diego Simeone’s dark arts have crafted him a masterful reader of danger, another trait that can be backed up by his average of 12.4 ball recoveries per 90 minutes. A stat he, unsurprisingly, is top of the list for.

It can, and probably will, be argued that this is his job. A defensive midfielder should excel in all these fields as they’re precisely what his role entails – and that is true. But it doesn’t take long watching Partey to see how much more qualified he is to play for a club of Arsenal’s stature in comparison to some of those currently on the books.

His elegance in possession, neat touches, high press evasion, speed of thought, aggression off the ball, to name but a few, are a cut above. This is an outstanding footballer who still isn’t at his best. Systematically he’s played in numerous setups already, and signs are the double No. 8’s either side in a 4-3-3 could be where he truly comes into his own.

Partey has to do better in many facets but the criticism directed his way unjustly overlooks what stability and structure he brings to midfield. Of course, stray passes and hopeless shooting are on him and that can’t be overlooked. Yet, a player of his quality will always suffer when those around him are desperately below the standard required.

Not until next season will be likely see the best of Partey. That, it need not saying, was not the desired outcome when £45m was parted with back in early October. Far from it. Until then, however, the discontent his performances have merited must be balanced accordingly with the belligerent brilliance he brings to the team.