Mikel Arteta has provided an update on whether or not Thomas Partey will start for Arsenal tonight in the Europa League clash against Rapid Vienna.
The Ghana international has only played seven minutes of football for the Gunners since his £45 million move from Atletico Madrid, having appeared as a substitute against Manchester City.
However, Arteta now believes the 27-year-old is ‘ready’ for a start.
When discussing Partey’s debut against City, Football London quote the Spaniard as saying: ‘He has reacted really well. I think he came on and looked strong, looked confident and he added something positive to the team. It was a very short turnaround from him.
‘Since he joined he had a day, a day and a half only in training. He has done a few more training sessions and he looks ready to start.’
Judging by those comments, it sounds like Arteta would be happy to hand the former Mallorca midfielder a first start for the Gunners.
It’s not as if Partey isn’t match fit – it’s more a case of him getting to speed with the ex-Manchester City coach’s tactics, and also getting him to gel with his teammates.
The Odumase Krobo-born midfield destroyer has already played 199 minutes of football for Atletico Madrid this term, so he shouldn’t be too rusty.
Handing him a debut against Rapid Vienna – a side who, with all due respect, aren’t a footballing heavyweight – might be a nice way to ease the club’s latest signing into action.
Partey has already won this competition in the past with Diego Simeone’s side, and Arteta will surely be hoping to ensure he adds another Europa League medal to his collection come the end of the season.
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