Former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Thomas Partey will play ‘with the shackles off’ under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal finally completed a move for Partey last week, signing the Atletico Madrid star just before the international transfer window slammed shut.
The Gunners have been chasing Partey for much of the year, and their patience paid off as they paid his €50million release clause at the last minute.
Fans are understandably excited to see the 27-year-old in action, believing that he has the proven quality that Arsenal need.
The Ghanaian could make his debut against Manchester City this weekend, and is in good form having notched a couple of assists for Ghana against Qatar in midweek.
Back in May, The Daily Mail reported that Cagigao had recommended Partey to Arsenal, but the Gunners then parted ways with Cagigao.
Arsenal still ended up signing Partey, and Cagigao has offered his view on the player, suggesting that he ‘strongly’ recommended him having first seen him in action on loan at Almeria.
Cagigao noted that Partey was more attacking back then, and now thinks he will play with the ‘shackles off’ at Arsenal, and could be the player that helps Arsenal push for the Premier League title.
“He is a player that we pursued for a long time and strongly recommended over the last few years,” said Cagigao. “I first watched him about six years ago playing for Almeria on loan from Atletico Madrid and he was more box-to-box, attacking even.”
“I think we will see him with the shackles off because he did very much play in a constricted midfield unit [at Atletico]. He could be the final piece of the jigsaw that makes Arsenal challenge for the title,” he added.
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