Arsenal: 3 vital tasks for Thomas Partey after injury return

2. Bring in Defensive Awareness

Mohamed Elneny is a good scanner of danger: he is constantly keeping an eye either side for runners and shifting into positions of where he can reduce the majority of threat.

Unfortunately, what his brain tells him tends not to transfer onto his feet.

Granit Xhaka is also a good scanner of danger: he seeks deep runners and sideways avenues, usually barking at others to cut lanes.

Unfortunately, it takes him two minutes to react and turn and therefore he is easily bypassed.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is lacking in this department: yet to get up to speed with the Premier League he is guilty of losing his man and being dragged into unnatural positions, and roaming No. 8’s exploit this side of his game.

Fortunately, he is only 21 years old and already showing signs of progress.

Thomas Partey, meanwhile, is an elite scanner of danger: he not only foresees deep runners and passes in advance, he also has the athletic and technical craft to shift laterally and either put a halt to attacks or assume possession entirely.

Fortunately, he is coming back into the team and whoever he partners will be relieved of some defensive requirements.

One of those players who isn’t always appreciated enough until they’re out of the team, Partey’s outstanding defensive capabilities, turnovers, tackles, interceptions and recoveries will be welcomed back with open arms.