‘He told me’: Emmanuel Adebayor explains how he helped Arsenal sign Thomas Partey

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Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor spoke at an event in Ghana about the role he played in Thomas Partey’s transfer to Arsenal.

The Gunners left it late but managed to get the deal over the line. Arsenal triggered Partey’s £45 million release clause (BBC), and a deal was wrapped up just a few minutes before the summer transfer window shut.

The Ghanaian has hit the ground running and it looks like he will be an incredible signing for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta and Edu deserve lots of credit, but it now looks like Adebayor is also worthy of some praise for his role in convincing Partey to join Arsenal.

Adebayor helped Arsenal sign Partey

The former Arsenal striker said: “He (Partey) told me that some clubs in England namely Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and others have shown interest in him and he needs advice.

“I advised him to go to Arsenal because I have had the opportunity to play there and I think it will be good for his development. Arsenal is more than a club, it is a family. I’m impressed with his performances so far in the Premier League.” (Kweku Zurek’s YouTube channel)

Adebayor spent three-and-a-half years at the Emirates and played 142 games for the club. He scored 62 goals and provided 22 assists for Arsenal in that period. However, his controversial move to Manchester City in 2009, followed by his infamous celebration at the Etihad, put him in the bad books of fans.

The former Togo international also went on to play for Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham. That further increased the animosity between himself and Gunners supporters.

The relationship seemed irreparable, but Adebayor convincing Partey to snub the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea to join Arsenal might just right a few wrongs in Gunners supporters’ minds.

Partey showed his class in Arsenal’s win against Manchester United at Old Trafford a few weeks ago. If he continues to play as well as he has so far, he will go on to become a fine player for the Gunners in the coming years.