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3 ways the return of Thomas Partey can boost Arsenal
- Thomas Partey is edging closer to an Arsenal return
- He has not played any football since October
- The Ghanaian missed out on AFCON selection
By Kenneth Daly
It is (almost) time to get the Partey started
Groin and hamstring injuries might have limited Thomas Partey to just four Arsenal games this campaign, but he is now only weeks away from returning and can hopefully make an immediate impact.
His comeback could hardly be timed better for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners are faltering in the Premier League and will need such world-class talent to get back on track, as well as to ensure their Champions League progression next month.
Furthermore, a recall would make Partey seem like a new midfield signing because, before his latest setback, he assumed the role of emergency full-back cover and thus did not get to show us his true engine-room qualities (well, other than his part in the winner against Manchester City).
3 ways the return of Thomas Partey can boost Arsenal
So, there is no doubt Partey is a big asset for Arsenal, and here are three ways he will boost the team upon his return.
1. He is our best option at the base of midfield
An important job that no one can pull off quite like he can.
Although much is made about our lack of central progression, it has largely owed to Partey’s absence from the base of midfield. The 30-year-old excels when receiving the ball from his backline and threading it between the lines on the half turn, being careful to resist suffocating opposition pressure.
However, this skillset was missed in recent months as Declan Rice filled in at the base instead. The £105m man has, of course, performed heroically since his high-profile summer move, but he remains less adept in tight central areas and therefore often drifts wide to collect possession from defence.
His alternative build-up position means we typically move down the channels rather than the middle and this greatly limits our levels of chance creation/scoring- reflected in our measly 20 Premier League goals from open play in 2023/24 (ranked 13th in the division).
While low-block opponents probably do not help those numbers, a tailor-made #6 may improve them and few fit that particular bill like Partey.
Continued on the next slide...