Thomas Partey is one of five Arsenal men to be included in the Premier League Team of the Week by Alan Shearer – with the legendary striker branding Partey as a “dominant” player that is capable of moments of “brilliance”.
Partey, 29, earned only his fifth start of the season on Saturday as the Gunners pushed Tottenham aside to win 3-1 in the North London derby. The Ghana international scored the opening goal of the game, from all of 20 yards out.
A gorgeous, curling effort that evaded Hugo Lloris. But it was only Partey’s third goal for Arsenal in 64 games, since joining the club from Atletico Madrid. It was the start of a brilliant performance from Arsenal, who remain at the top.
Shearer included Partey alongside Ben White, William Saliba and Granit Xhaka – as well as manager Mikel Arteta in his TOTW. He said of £160k-a-week midfielder Partey: “Struck a brilliant goal and was a dominant figure in the middle.”
Shearer says Arsenal player Partey capable of moments of brilliance
Not only did he produce the goal of the game, but Partey was one of the best players on the pitch. Saliba was superb at the back, White continues to shine on the right side of defence and the sea-change in Swiss ace Xhaka is quite huge.
The ex-Gladbach star has even been compared to Kevin De Bruyne, by Leon Osman. Partey is renowned for his passing. For his tactical awareness, his distribution, his leadership, his physicality. If he can add goals, he could be a real weapon.
An all-round midfielder that Arsenal have arguably lacked since the likes of Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit. Partey will now be hoping to remain injury free in the lead up to the World Cup. Then, he jets off to Qatar to play for his nation.
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