Unexpected "final"
Right before the summer 2020 transfer market closed, Arsenal successfully recruited midfielder Thomas Partey for 50 million Euros. This deal is considered a surprise, because even after sending Lucas Torreira to Atletico Madrid on loan, the "Gunners" are still hesitant and have financial problems.
50 million Euros is not a small number, especially during the COVID-19 period. Arsenal played well, her husband had enough money to activate the release clause for Thomas Partey.
The decisive working style surprised and excited many people. That is proof of a different Arsenal, no longer as reluctant as everyone mistook for.
"When I heard that Arsenal had signed Partey, I almost fell off my chair," former player Paul Merson humorously said.
Waiting for professional improvement
Partey has the ability to play as a short- to-box midfielder. In the past 2 seasons, he has been an irreplaceable pillar in the squad of coach Diego Simone. Impressive defense, comprehensive technique, the 27-year-old player is Atletico's main " engine".
Thomas Partey's ability to integrate into the Premier League environment is also very promising. In the first leg of the 2019-2020 Champions League round 16 between Atletico and Liverpool, the Myanmar midfielder played extremely impressively when he destroyed every shot of the English champion, and at the same time excelled in his ball-making ability. The title of Best Player of the match is partly enough to guarantee a ticket to the Premier League.
"We have been following Thomas for a long time and are delighted to have added a high-quality player to the squad. He is a complete midfielder, with great energy. Arsenal were impressed with Thomas' attitude and approach to the game. He is smart, he will soon integrate into the system and contribute to the progress of the team," Mikel Arteta shared.
Arsenal and the cold change
In a less exciting summer, Arsenal have once again been highly appreciated in their transfer work. Activating successful buy-takes of Pablo Mari, Cedric, bringing Willian at free, they spent most of their finances to keep the pillars and fill the weaknesses.
More than 80 million Euros has been spent on centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and midfielder Thomas Partey. Aubameyang " nodded" to stay and receive about 350,000 pounds/week, a figure slightly lower than 250,000 pounds/week, which was the treatment used to convince the two rookies Willian and Partey.
All for the sole purpose of changing Arsenal's image. However, the consequences are not normal. A portion of Arteta's "going to the market" money had to be exchanged for affection, tears and criticism. Last month, Arsenal had to use the reason of the prolonged COVID-19 epidemic to fire 55 team employees, even the team's mascot was cut.
Jerry Quy, who plays the Dinosaur mascot Gunnersaurus, was fired by the board after nearly 3 decades of dedication to the team. The affection was recognized but Jerry Quy was still fired because Arsenal now have no spectators, so the board decided to cut Gunnersaurus' role.
This sparked a strong wave of protests, many of whom called on coaches Arteta and Aubameyang to stop the "dead" team Gunnersaurus. However, the Spanish strategist could not do anything else, because he himself also wanted more money to buy new contracts. Thomas Partey is one of them.
