The Gunners have just started the 2024-2025 Premier League campaign with an impressive performance, defeating Wolves 2-0 in their opening match. In the hands of Mikel Arteta, he currently has a team of quality players with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz at the ninth stage of their careers. Besides, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber are all young and very talented.
However, Arsenal 's perfect victory in the opening match still left a "grit" named Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian midfielder is only assessed as being good and there are still moments of out-of-tune and lack of cohesion in the team's play.
After halftime when Arsenal was leading 1-0, Wolves accelerated and continuously dominated the midfield and in front of the penalty area. Thomas Partey appeared outmatched and struggled to win the ball back from the opponent's feet. This caused William Saliba to constantly have to rise to the rescue. According to statistics, Partey lost the ball 3 times in his own half from minutes 55 to 74. These situations all ended with dangerous opportunities created by Wolves towards the home team's goal.
"We encountered certain problems, especially in the second half with some fouls. However, that is part of football. The whole team must try to play more stably and safely. ” - Mikel Arteta admitted.
The prospect of Partey losing form appeared in Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool in a pre-season friendly match. The Athletic describes that the 31-year-old midfielder is always slower than the opposing player and is powerless to close the space in the midfield.
In the current Arsenal star lineup, Jorginho and Thomas Partey are two players over 30 years old. While Jorginho is still showing his importance, Partey is gradually losing his position and being forgotten. Last season, the Ghanaian midfielder did not play a single minute from October 2023 to early March 2024 because he had to have surgery for a thigh muscle injury. The 31-year-old star only played 9 matches in the Premier League last season. In addition, the fact that Declan Rice and Jorginho are in good form also affects Partey's position.
However, Partey was still trusted by Arteta and given the opportunity to start in the opening match against Wolves. Last season, the Ghanaian midfielder also appeared in the main squad in the last 5 rounds. According to British media, the Spanish strategist is especially looking forward to Partey's return to free Rice from the current "number 6" position. Rice was even asked to change his playing style to accommodate Partey's return.
In the context that Arsenal players are all in the prime of their careers or have irreplaceable roles, Thomas Partey needs to make efforts to quickly regain his original peak form if he does not want to become redundant at the Emirates. The former Atletico Madrid player was rated as the Premier League's top central midfielder in the 2022-2023 season. However, consecutive injuries forced him to get used to the hospital bed and the bench.
If he cannot return to his best performance, it is possible that Thomas Partey will soon be loaned to Arsenal with only the last year of his contract left to make room for Mikel Merino. The Real Sociedad midfielder is not a "number 6" but can play well in a box-to-box role. He will be a breath of fresh air in the "Gunners" midfield this season.
