Arsenal’s Thomas Partey says he looks up to Crystal Palace star

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Arsenal’s Thomas Partey spoke to the club’s official website about his idols who have played in the Premier League.

The former Atletico Madrid man is not the first Ghanaian to have made a move to the English top flight. Michael Essien is arguably the most popular footballer from Ghana to have made a name for himself in the Premier League with Chelsea, but there are a few others as well.

Partey has revealed that he wants to emulate the former Blues midfielder, but he isn’t the only Premier League star that he looks up to. Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew is another that the Arsenal man admires.

Partey looks up to Essien and Jordan Ayew among others

Partey said: “He’s a fantastic midfielder. He fights for every ball, he’s a great legend. For me, he’s one of the best midfielders that we’ve ever had in Africa. I think we’ve all seen what he has done at Chelsea, what he has done for the Black Stars and for me. He’s my idol.

“I grew up watching Michael Essien, Muntari, the Ayew brothers – they are the people I look up to and they made a lot of impact on Ghanaians. I think this is my moment and I have to make sure I take it.”

The Ayew brothers – Jordan and Andre – have had impressive careers themselves despite not lighting up the stage like Essien did during his time at Stamford Bridge all those years ago.

Jordan Ayew is making a fantastic name for himself at Selhurst Park. The 29-year-old scored nine goals for Palace last season, including two against Arsenal – both home and away.

He only has one strike to his name so far this term, but he brings a lot more to Palace than just goals. Ayew works extremely hard without the ball, and his contribution when Palace don’t have possession is extremely important to the team.

Partey, like Ayew, is extremely hardworking. His performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford showed exactly what he is all about, and Arsenal, as well as Ghana, should be optimistic about the future with him in the middle of the park.