Report: What Partey told Arsenal after watching a game at the Emirates in 2019

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New Gunner Thomas Partey wanted to join Arsenal last year, according to a report from The Times.

The Ghanaian had been on Arsenal’s shopping list for more than two years and the report claims they came very close to signing him last summer.

Partey, who was open to switching from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal last summer, was invited to the Emirates in April 2019 to watch the Gunners’ Europa League quarter-final clash with Napoli.

Arsenal dominated the game and secured a 2-0 victory. After the game, Partey reportedly said he was keen to play alongside Granit Xhaka, a wish he’ll fulfil when he makes his Arsenal debut after the international break.

Partey must have followed Arsenal regularly before he visited the Emirates to have expressed his admiration for Xhaka.

The Swiss international wasn’t even in the squad for the game against Napoli but, if the report is correct, the Ghanaian envisaged playing alongside the former Gunners skipper.

The report also claims Arsenal agreed personal terms with Partey last year that would have seen him earn £230,000 a week. However, then-boss Unai Emery chose not to pursue a deal to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder.

Emery prioritised a winger over a central midfielder instead, with the Gunners eventually signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille for a club record £72 million while Partey remained in Madrid for another season.

It’s impossible to say how Arsenal would have fared if they had the Ghanaian in their squad last season.

Partey would, and still does, offer something the Gunners don’t have in their squad. His influence could have helped them finish higher than eighth last term.