‘It didn’t surprise me’: Gabby Agbonlahor reacts to what he’s hearing about Thomas Partey

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Gabby Agbonlahor says he ‘isn’t surprised’ that the transfer rumour mill is suggesting that Thomas Partey could leave Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this summer.

The 30-year-old was a key member of the side last season and one of the main reasons why, at one point, Arsenal were sitting at the top of the Premier League table with an eight-point lead.

But as the season hit the really critical moments, Thomas Partey’s form fell off and Agbonlahor added that he ‘wasn’t quick’, nor was he ‘mobile enough’, as he told talkSPORT (05/07/23 at 9:40 am).

That Liverpool game in April started the rot for the Gunners and saw the team drop some valuable points as they tried to hold on to their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

It was Partey’s mistake, the following week, that helped West Ham secure a point against their London rivals, even though Arteta’s men had a 2-0 lead and missed a second-half penalty.

But should that slip in form from Partey, which saw his teammates also struggle, see the midfielder sold? Well, for Agbonlahor, he isn’t exactly debating against it.

“When Thomas Partey signed for Arsenal, it was exciting for Arsenal fans,” said Agbonlahor. “But the second half of last season, he wasn’t at his best, especially in the last five or six games.

“In the last games, he didn’t show that speed in the middle. When he was tracking back, it didn’t look like he could run quick enough and he wasn’t mobile.

“It didn’t surprise me that Arsenal are looking to replace him.”

Who will Arsenal sign if Partey leaves?

Everyone knows about Declan Rice’s imminent arrival, but he isn’t being brought in to replace Partey.

If Arsenal’s £45 million (Guardian) rock in the middle of the park does leave, then Arteta surely has to push for a new face, with Moises Caicedo’s name recently thrown into the hat.

The 21-year-old has shown serious, serious promise at Brighton, but it would be a big risk to replace a rising star unproven at the top level for a player that has played at the Champions League level.