Earlier today, the Premier League announced the nominees for March’s Player of the Month award, where Arsenal gem Bukayo Saka was included.
The 20-year-old throughly deserves his nomination, after scoring two goals in four games as the Gunners earned nine points from a possible 12.
However, another Arsenal player will surely be feeling quite upset that he wasn’t on the shortlist.
What’s the story?
Well, in our view, Thomas Partey deserved a nomination.
The £200,000-a-week man has been a colossal figure for Arsenal throughout March, playing every minute as he helped the Gunners grind out some big wins.
Partey only scored once in those four games, but the Player of the Month competition should not purely be about goal involvements.
None of the three wins throughout March were easy, and without the defensive abilities of the Ghanaian, the north Londoners may have had to settle for a point in some of those tight outings.
Thomas Partey shone for Arsenal
Aside from the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Partey was gargantuan throughout March.
As WhoScored shows, the 28-year-old won two tackles, made two interceptions and won three aerial duels in the 3-2 win over Watford, while also completing three dribbles and 78 successful passes.
After that clash, Partey shone again in the 2-0 win over Leicester, scoring the opening goal before winning the penalty for Alexandre Lacazette to double the lead.
The £45m man also hit the bar with an outstanding, curled effort.
Lastly, in a tight game at Villa Park, his composure in possession, coupled with his physical strengths, helped grind out a 1-0 win in the Midlands.
Forget goals and assists – Partey was unquestionably among the best players in the Premier League throughout March, and he deserved a nomination.
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