Alan Shearer has suggested on Match of the Day on BBC One that Arsenal defensive midfielder Thomas Partey is the key player in the title race between the Gunners and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The Newcastle United legend believes that if Arsenal are able to get back Partey from injury soon, then they will have a very good chance of beating defending champions Manchester City to the Premier League title this season.
Shearer made the comments after Arsenal and Manchester City’s games on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners beat Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Partey did not play for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The £200,000-a-week (The Sun) former Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder is injured at the moment.
City could only draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment with 54 points from 23 matches.
City are second with 52 points from 24 games.
Partey has scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far this season.
The 29-year-old has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League so far this campaign and has been key to Arsenal’s success.
Alan Shearer on Thomas Partey in Arsenal v Manchester City title race
Shearer said: “I know Partey is out injured at the minute. If Arsenal can get him back and have a little bit of luck in between now and the end of the season, keeping their main big-hitters free from injury, I think they will do it. Yeah.”
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