Garth Crooks has written on BBC Sport that Thomas Partey is better than his Arsenal teammate and fellow midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward has included Arsenal midfielder Partey in his BBC Premier League Team of the Week for his performance against Sheffield United at the weekend.
The Ghana international defensive midfielder played well in the middle of the park, as the Gunners got the better of the Blades 3-0 to maintain their (slim) chances of finishing in the Premier League top four.
Xhaka actually played at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade, and Crooks believes that the Switzerland international is not as good as Partey.
Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “Thomas Partey played a significant role in the Gunners’ performance. The Ghana international has promised a lot since his arrival at Emirates Stadium but suffered from niggling injuries which have interrupted his progress.
“His ball for Alexandre Lacazette’s second goal showed the player’s class. Partey is not as reckless in midfield as Granit Xhaka and much better on the ball.”
Important player for Arsenal
While Xhaka is not exactly a ‘great’ player, his importance in the current Arsenal team cannot be understated.
The 28-year-old midfielder has made 25 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for the Gunners so far this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
Xhaka has also made eight appearances in the Europa League for Mikel Arteta’s side this campaign, according to WhoScored.
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