Arsenal: 3 standout players from Aston Villa victory

Aston Villa's English striker Ollie Watkins (R) challenges Arsenal's English defender Ben White (C) and Arsenal's Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on March 19, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Thomas Partey of Arsenal has a shot during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on March 19, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

2. Thomas Partey Time

What can be said about Thomas Partey that has not already been said?

The Ghanaian has revolutionized Arsenal’s midfield since the start of the year. He has offered something that has rarely, if ever, been seen in the middle of the park for years: calmness. The composure Partey displays on and off the ball is a breath of fresh air.

Looking across the Premier League, which out-and-out defensive midfielders could you place higher than him on current form? We’re talking Rodri and Fabinho, with Partey level pegging or a closely followed third.

He’s been that good. It’s world class form.

Always an option for the back four, he is the crucial lynchpin in the most congested area of the pitch. Yet regardless of how intense the press is and how many of the opposition players close him down, he finds a way to glide past them all before releasing a quick and dangerous ball to the front players.

Arsenal have moved away from the slow, ponderous build-up that was a hallmark of Xhaka’s time in a double pivot (although the Swiss international has been excellent as well). Partey, even if he is circulating the ball around the back, does so with a sense of urgency. And when he shifts gears to burst through the lines, fans can do little else but sit back in awe.

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