‘Beast’: Liverpool legend tips 27-year-old to fire Arsenal into Champions League

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Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has told ESPN FC he believes Arsenal are more likely to qualify for the Champions League than Manchester United after signing Thomas Partey.

While Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s under-fire side followed up that already-infamous 6-1 thrashing at home to Tottenham Hotspur by missing out on Jadon Sancho, one of their biggest rivals for a top four spot did manage to secure the signature of their top target on deadline day.

After weeks, nay months of speculation linking Ghana powerhouse Partey with a move to the Emirates, Arsenal finally triggered the £51 million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

Talk about a transformative signing.

On paper at least, the 6ft 1in enforcer looks the perfect addition to a lightweight Arsenal midfield.

And, according to Nicol, Partey’s last-gasp arrival means Arsenal are suddenly genuine candidates to make a Champions League return following four years away.

“United,” the 1984 European Cup winner said when asked which club would miss out on the top four.

“If you go on how they can take a step forward from here, it’s not United because it looks like they are going the wrong way.

“Arsenal have just signed Partey, who is a beast in the middle of the park. They have found a strength that wasn’t there before Arteta.

“And Spurs have made good signings, so they’re stronger. It seems like Man United, right now, are the team who would be outside (the Champions League places).”

With three wins from four games so far, Arteta has transformed an Arsenal side previously devoid of leadership and character into a well-drilled unit capable of producing moments of Wenger-era attacking brilliance.

Two trophies in less than a year after Wembley wins against Chelsea and Liverpool suggests Arteta has already instilled a winning mentality at the Emirates too.