Arsenal: Kalvin Phillips the perfect Thomas Partey partner in 4-2-3-1

Kalvin Phillips Would Unleash Thomas Partey at Arsenal

Kalvin Phillips has been excellent for England at the European Championships this summer. First class in the heart of the midfield.

But he’s been doing what Leeds fans have been witness to all season long. Well, that’s untrue, he’s been doing it for years.

There is an important conversation to be had over what it is that Arsenal want following Xhaka’s departure. What would be exciting is the scope to completely change the outlook of the midfield and bring in a different profile, or to find an upgrade on his style.

The upgrade would be someone who can also distribute effectively, like Neves, while the new direction could opt for a more attack-minded No. 8, should Arteta stick with the 4-2-3-1 that served him well at the end of last season.

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In either case, someone with energy in that area of the pitch to complement Partey has to be sounded out, and where else in the Premier League will you find a more relentless option than over at Leeds?

Phillips presses so vigorously he’s in the 93rd percentile across Europe, recovering possession 12.05 times on average per 90 for an 89th percentile scoring (FBref). These defensive actions create chances, too: he’s in the 83rd percentile for defensive actions that lead to a shot.

As seen with England, Phillips and Declan Rice share these pressing duties in tandem with one another, harassing from the front and then returning to shield in something reminiscent of a tag team. As witnessed with Partey and Mohamed Elneny, this boundless energy alongside the Ghanaian unlocks his best attributes.

With a ball-winning menace acting like a sweeper in and around him, the 28-year-old’s progressive and ball-carrying qualities can sing. Phillips is in the 95th percentile for tackles won in his own third, 96th for shots blocked and 86th for interceptions, demonstrating his mettle in the engine room before he can turn on the style.

A wonderful passer, sitting in that deep-lying zone in Leeds’ 4-1-4-1 (at least as it’s read out), he finds the spaces to receive and dispense in as few touches as possible. He isn’t a progressive carrier or penalty box seeker, but these traits fall on Partey’s shoulders and the pair would combine their defensive steel with individually impactful trademarks.

They both encompass numerous abilities but as a pair with energy, endeavour, distribution and destruction, sprinkled with individual flair, they would companion each other tremendously. Partey brings the technical strength in receiving on the half-turn and Phillips could be the polished shield.

With Phillips and Partey in a double pivot, they can play on the angle with Partey more advanced where he can receive with room to turn and carry into pockets or progress up the field. That symmetry would flourish with the Leeds man.

As Arsenal appear to be shifting towards a high pressing system, the needs for athletic players to match those requirements is, well, obvious. The introduction of Phillips would raise the tempo in the middle of the park – a glaring issue last season – provide the platform for Partey to express himself and reintroduce the range of pass Xhaka offered with enhanced speed.

Can it be done?

Continued…