Why Arsenal are better off without Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey cost Arsenal £45m in 2020 and arrived with a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, but it’s becoming increasingly clear the Gunners are better off without the former Atletico Madrid man.

It was noticeable during the recent 3-1 win over Chelsea when Partey’s absence allowed fellow midfielders Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard more freedom to run riot. The benefit of being without Partey then became painfully obvious during Sunday’s 2-0 win away at Newcastle United, a victory inspired by Partey’s replacement Jorginho.

Partey’s struggle tracking runners, inconsistent distribution and lapses in concentration have made him a liability during this season’s run-in. Those things showed up most painfully during the 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday, April 16, when the Ghana international’s cavalier flick on the edge of his own area led to the Hammers being awarded a penalty and a route back into the game.

His culpability continued 10 days later when Arsenal lost the Premier League title showdown to Manchester City. Partey gave Kevin De Bruyne the freedom of the pitch to conduct City’s 4-1 win.

By contrast, ex-Chelsea man Jorginho has been the steady presence Arsenal need at the base of midfield.

No Partey, no problem

Okay, so it’s a terrible pun, but the main point holds. Arsenal haven’t needed Partey to dominate the middle of the park in the last two games.

Jorginho has been a big reason why because of his calm efficiency in front of the back four. Knowing the 31-year-old will do only the simple, necessary things, both on the ball and off, has allowed Xhaka and Odegaard to take more chances.

Xhaka went from trying to help Partey to acting as the creative fulcrum against Chelsea. Numbers from Statman Dave support Xhaka’s increased influence in attacking areas:

While Xhaka was more forward-thinking, Odegaard was back to gliding across the Emirates Stadium carpet with typical elan. The best signing Mikel Arteta has made as manager was all classy touches and deft turns against the Blues.

Odegaard was also ruthless in the final third, finding the net twice against Chelsea, before scoring with a sweet strike against the Magpies:

If it wasn’t for Erling Haaland’s predictable goal rush for City, Odegaard would be Player of the Year. Yet as good as he is, Arteta’s midfield maestro is thriving now because of Jorginho’s positional discipline and savvy distribution.

Those qualities made Jorginho a winner for Chelsea and Italy, despite lacking elite strength or recovery pace. The same attributes also made Jorginho a smart signing for £12m in the January transfer window.

Performances like the one he produced at St. James’ Park, detailed by OptaJoe, made Jorginho look like a bargain at three times the price.

Tripling the fee would put Jorginho closer to Partey money. That’s £45m Arsenal should try and recoup this summer. It’s not as if the 29-year-old even rates his own performances.

Selling Partey, possibly in a deal granting him a return to La Liga, could help Arteta and sporting director Edu afford their primary target, West Ham’s Declan Rice.