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#3 A press-resistant midfielder in the Arsenal squad
On top of his impressive versatility, Thomas Partey is one of the most press-resistant midfielders in the world. The Ghana international is known to be more than comfortable in tight spaces and is composed when faced with oncoming pressure.
This will certainly be music to Mikel Arteta’s ears as he’s placed a lot of focus on playing out from the back in recent months. This tactic has sometimes come unstuck, with his current personnel buckling under the opposition’s press.
In a low-block Atletico Madrid side, Partey completed 89% of take-ons as he produced 57 in 36 games. Dani Ceballos is notorious for his close control and mesmeric pirouettes but only completed 27 take-ons last season.
#2 Experience
At the age of 27, Thomas Partey has almost seen it all. The Ghana international has over 188 first-team appearances to his name for Atletico Madrid, with over five seasons worth of Champions League experience too.
Add to that his 27 caps for Ghana, and you start to understand the calibre of the player that Arsenal have just signed. In his time in Spain, the midfielder won the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and has been a Champions League runner-up. Such pedigree will certainly be welcome at the Emirates.
It’s no secret that Diego Simeone uses every trick in the book to win games, a mentality he passes onto his players. Thomas Partey has been one of his most loyal disciples and will hopefully bring such grit to the Arsenal dressing room.
Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he wants his Arsenal squad to have a mixture of experience and youthfulness, and Thomas Partey is a combination of both those qualities.
#1 Physicality
Arsenal’s midfield has been crying out for a Patrick Vieira-like figure for years. For far too long, the Gunners have been too ‘nice on the eye’ and ‘easy’ to play against. The arrival of Thomas Partey puts an end to all that talk. Not only is he an intelligent and technical player but he is also a warrior who relishes any duel, priding himself in breaking up play.
His 185cm frame enabled him to win 67 aerial duels last season. In comparison, Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos could only win 54 between them. The 27-year-old will ensure that Arsenal’s midfield is no longer easy to bypass while making them more of an unstoppable force in transition.
Despite his impressive physical attributes, Thomas Partey is a highly intelligent and technical player who shines from a tactical standpoint above all.
