Lee Hendrie says Thomas Partey hasn’t lost his importance at Arsenal and he is ‘definitely’ a starter for Mikel Arteta.
The 30-year-old returned to the bench for Arsenal on Tuesday night, but he didn’t come onto the pitch as the team were beaten 2-1 by RC Lens in the Champions League.
Thomas Partey hasn’t played for Arsenal since August when he was being used as a right-back.
But former Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie states, now that Thomas Partey is back, he fits in the middle of the park alongside Declan Rice, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (03/10/23 at 7:40 pm).
The thing is, as of this moment, Mikel Arteta hasn’t done that, which has raised more questions than answers from the fans.
Many thought that when Arsenal paid a club-record transfer for Declan Rice, it would then see the Englishman form a midfield partnership with Thomas Partey, but it hasn’t been the case to their disappointment and perhaps annoyance.
Thomas Partey return
On if Partey is still important to Arsenal: “He is still important to them, for sure,” said Hendrie. “He is a big player, no doubt about that.
“The two Rice and Partey can play in that middle. You give that freedom and luxury, more so, to Odegaard to really join in and be a massive threat (further forward).
“Yes, having him back amongst the squad. The availability, he is definitely a starter in my side for Arsenal.”
Partey and Rice v Man City
A certain Bukayo Saka is now an injury doubt for the Manchester City game after limping off against RC Lens.
Many feel that Arteta misused the player and shouldn’t have started him.
Therefore, will he be willing to risk Partey by starting him against Man City on Sunday? The big issue is that he hasn’t kicked a ball since August.
And whilst fans would like to see Partey-Rice in midfield. It’s a risk that could hit them in the face given what happened to Saka.
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