3 reasons why Arsenal need to sell Thomas Partey

2. The brilliance of Declan Rice

You would do well to find an Arsenal fan who fails to recognise Partey's best position to be a defensive midfielder - which creates a big problem for his future at the club.

Since Declan Rice joined the club in a club-record £105m deal from West Ham last summer, the England international has been one of the best midfielders in Europe, and is without doubt ahead of Partey, when he is fit, in the pecking order for the defensive midfield role.

It is also clear, by Arteta's decision to often play either Kai Havertz, Emile Smith Rowe or even Fabio Vieira alongside Rice, that he ideally wants a more advanced option to play alongside the 25-year-old - a profile that Partey simply does not fit.

For a player on such a high wage (Partey reportedly earns £200k/week), it would be untenable to see him not start, and for all the time that it is clear he will not be first choice, the decision to sell him feels like a formality, if a buyer can be found.

Continued on the next slide...