Granit Xhaka has lauded Thomas Partey’s recent performances for Arsenal after the Ghanaian midfielder bagged the opening goal in the Gunners’ 2-0 win against Leicester City.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the Arsenal maestro was full of praise for his midfield teammate, with Xhaka admitting that Partey has criticised himself harshly in recent weeks despite an incredible run of form alongside Xhaka.
The duo have formed a tight partnership with Partey anchoring the defensive line and Xhaka having a new, but effective, role of pressing up the pitch to cause problems in the final third, with Martin Odegaard linking it all together.
Whilst the Norwegian stole the headlines for another sensational performance, Xhaka was full of praise for Partey, who fired Arsenal ahead against Leicester just 11 minutes into the match with only his second-ever goal for the club.
Indeed, the result was another huge step in the right director for Arsenal, and for Xhaka, Partey is returning to his best form for the Gunners, with the 28-year-old showcasing his best talents this weekend against Leicester.
The Swiss international said: “He criticised himself very hard I think, but he’s fit, he’s healthy, he’s so important for us, you can see his qualities without the ball, with the ball and everything starts from him. I’m enjoying being a part of the midfield with him.”
Partey performance vs. Leicester one of his best yet for Arsenal
Partey was regarded as a marquee signing for Arsenal after joining the club from Atletico Madrid last season, yet after a rough first year in England, the midfielder is performing at his best for the Gunners, and his performance against Leicester showed it.
The African dynamo was electric against Leicester and was all over the midfield for Arsenal in the best sense of the word. And for the Gunners, Partey’s performances will be key if the north London side are to make a stunning return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
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