Thomas Partey might have joined Arsenal with the reputation of a tough and powerful defensive midfield player.
But his debut in last night’s 2-1 win away to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League indicates that he has so much more to offer the Gunners.
Partey completed 90 percent of his passes and managed 102 touches of the ball in what was a superb first game for Arsenal last night.
The 27-year-old joined the North Londoners on October 5 but only joined up with his new team-mates the other week after being on international duty.
And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who earns £250,000 per week after his new contract, has told Arsenal’s official website that the Ghanaian certainly has the silk to match the steel.
He said: “He is so strong physically but yet so good on the ball as well. We didn’t really have a profile like this in our squad before.
“In terms of ball progression, beating the press, going forward, he will be very important for us.”
Partey is guaranteed to start Arsenal’s visit of Leicester City on Sunday night, after his performance in Austria.
He cost them £45 million, which makes him one of the club’s most expensive-ever signings but, by the same token, he is in the prime of his career and the Emirates Stadium outfit don’t have to worry about a financial superpower poaching him anytime soon.
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