Mikel Arteta has told Wednesday’s press conference – as per Football Daily – that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has failed to gain any consistency over the last few months due to injury, but he is now gaining some momentum.
Partey, 29, scored only his third goal for Arsenal on Saturday as the Gunners cruised past Tottenham to win 3-1 at The Emirates. Partey was accompanied on the score sheet by Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka, as well as Harry Kane.
Not only was it his goal, but his all-round performance in midfield – controlling the opposition. Alan Shearer branded his performance as “dominating”. But it comes after managing just 59 Arsenal appearances in his first two seasons.
Far below the amount he would have expected to make, into the 70’s or 80’s. But with Partey’s fitness and form back in the green, Arteta spoke about his troubles with injury – saying his Arsenal form suffered due to a lack of consistency.
“Well, he hasn’t had any consistency in the last few months. With the injuries that he has been through, he has been in and out. But he did it, he contributed to the team with a big performance, in an exceptional way. We are really happy.”
Arteta: Arsenal midfielder Partey failed to gain any consistency
For Arsenal fans, for Arteta, for Partey himself – all will be hoping that the 40-time Ghana international has pulled himself out of an injury nightmare. Now, he is fit and playing well. The World Cup is on the horizon. Things look good.
But it can take one little knock or a slight strain for that doubt and lack of momentum to creep back in. Partey has got to look after himself now and realise that he might not be able to do what he did a decade ago, even five or six years.
He has got to start looking after his body and adapting in order to keep him fresh, and less susceptible to injury. That way, Arsenal can begin to form a consistent midfield bond between him, Xhaka and skipper Martin Odegaard.
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