Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal: 4 talking points from huge win

Thomas Partey Dropping Weekly 9/10 Performances

Rating his performances for Arsenal as 4/10 was the best thing he ever did. He’s now dropping 9/10’s every week. The Ghanaian again was instrumental in Arsenal’s dominance in the first half. His ability to receive the ball, facing his own goal, and then turn and slip away and start attacks is devastatingly effective.

Constantly keeping the ball moving from side to side, Partey was always available as an option for his back four as Arsenal continuously played through a poor Villa side.

His influence on games is so prominent. His ability to keep the ball under heavy pressure, produce some superb body feints and then have the vision for a pass is second to none. There was one Cruyff turn in the second half that even had Villa fans applauding. Probably.

While his offensive abilities were on show, when Villa was in possession he tucked in and shielded the back four as Arsenal gave absolutely nothing away for the majority of the game.

It has taken a while, but Partey is now firmly the midfield metronome that Arsenal has been lacking since the days of Patrick Vieira.

In full flight, he is a joy to watch.

Continued on next page…