Jamie Redknapp believes that the Premier League will see the real Thomas Partey for Arsenal next season.
Arsenal spent £45 million on the Ghana midfielder last summer but it’s been a difficult first campaign in North London.
Not only are most of his Gunners teammates struggling for consistency, but Partey has had three separate injuries and that undoubtedly played a role on the former Atletico Madrid star’s form.
But the powerhouse has produced some show-stopping performances under Mikel Arteta – like in the win at Manchester United last year, for instance – and Redknapp has seen enough of the 27-year-old overall to believe that he could be a far bigger player for Arsenal during the 2021-22 campaign.
He said to Sky Sports: “It’s been tough for him. He’s had injuries and we have to give people time. Some people come to the league and thrive – others find it really difficult. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. There’s games when I watch him and think ‘I’d hate to play against him’.
“But there’s other times when he gets into that Arsenal mode when everything’s easy. He needs to come into next season absolutely flying. I think next year we will see the real Thomas Partey.”
The Premier League is a difficult one, even if you’re a supreme physical specimen like Partey.
It’s a much quicker game and foreign imports often reference the increased tempo and intensity as factors in the adaptation process.
But Partey was brilliant in the 1-0 win at Chelsea last night and that’ll serve as another reminder that Arsenal have a real player on their hands here.
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