Thomas Partey’s time at the Emirates could be coming to an end with Juventus and a myriad of Saudi clubs circling the 30-year-old Ghanaian international as reported by Fabrizio Romano. What is clear is with the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, Partey’s position in Arsenal’s midfield has never looked less tenable.
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Thomas Partey Linked With Move to Saudi Arabia
Thomas Partey Uncertain Future
Partey is the latest in a long line of Premier League superstars being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as reported by Fabrizio Romano. Mikel Arteta’s decision to break the bank for Declan Rice as well as Partey’s recent omission from the staring line-up against Man United in their pre-season friendly contradicts Arteta’s recent defence of how important Partey is going to be for Arsenal in the forthcoming season as reported by Sky Sports.
Promising Beginnings
Cast your mind back to the excitement surrounding Partey’s signing for Arsenal on deadline day of the 2020 summer transfer window. It was the first window Arteta had overseen and the midfielder was the new manager’s landmark signing, getting the Champions League finalist and widely renowned holding midfielder for £45 million.
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However, his first season was not plain sailing only featuring in 24 premier league matches with constant niggles plaguing his season. What was certain was that he was crucial for Arteta, famously being forced to play prematurely against North London rivals Spurs and having to hobble over to the sidelines.
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How the 2022/23 Season Began
Arsenal’s second-place finish in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign was their highest finish since 2016 and Partey’s role began as crucial as ever. However, when Arsenal found themselves seven points clear at the start of the January transfer window, Arteta knew that to have any chance of competing with Manchester City, he needed backup for the injury-prone holding midfielder.
Jorginho
Arsenal signed the experienced Jorginho from Chelsea. As expected he did not start a Premier League game until the inevitable Partey niggle struck and the Italian international was brought in for the very moment he was signed for. The holding midfielder was the hero at Villa Park keeping Arsenal’s title bid alive seeing his long-range shot deflected in off former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez in injury time. Partey returned just a few games later but for the first time in his Arsenal career, he looked fragile and sloppy on the ball. His calm and composed Rolls Royce-like presence had disappeared and been replaced with an uncertainty that had seldom been seen in his career.
What’s Next for Thomas Partey?
Rotation will certainly be key to any Arsenal success next season with the Champions League being back on the Gunners’ calendar but keeping Rice, Jorginho and Partey all happy will seemingly be a challenge for Arteta’s man-management skills. Despite the juggling act to keep all players happy, Arteta has spoken out regarding his desire to keep Partey. “I expect Thomas Partey to stay here. Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him, he’s ready to stay with us.” The Arsenal manager added: “For me, there’s nothing there at all.”
It is unclear which jersey Partey will be wearing when the first game of next season comes around, what is certain is that the Ghanaian midfielder, previously described as “outstanding” will have lots of suiters and such a talented midfielder will surely be missed at the Emirates if he does end up leaving this summer.
Main Photo Credit: Paul Hudson on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
