‘Signing that we need’: Seaman compares Arsenal newbie to Gunners legend

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David Seaman has compared new Arsenal signing Thomas Partey to Premier League legends Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure after his £51 million move to the Emirates, while speaking to Alan Brazil on talkSPORT (9 October, 9:15am).

While Gunners fans might have been consigning themselves to a disappointing deadline day, there was to be an unexpected twist in the tale.

In the blink of an eye, one of the finest defensive enforcers in Europe, and Mikel Arteta’s number one transfer target no less, was putting pen to paper on a four year contract worth £230,000-a-week with the London giants (Guardian).

Atletico Madrid were left reeling by the sudden departure of their midfield linchpin – and with good reason.

Partey has been one of the first names on Diego Simeone’s team-sheet for the last three years and the timing of his departure left Atleti with no time to find a replacement.

The former Almeria loanee has long been compared to legendary Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira due to his fearsome frame and his penchant for a long-range rocket.

And Seaman sees a few similarities between Partey and his former Highbury teammate.

“I think he’s the sort of signing that we need – a solid midfield player. To go in there and really put a bit of fear into other midfield players, like a Patrick Vieira type, a Yaya Toure type who is going to be strong and imposing,” said the legendary goalkeeper.

“Hopefully, that’s what he can do.”

While Partey was very much a ‘number six’ at Atletico, sitting and sweeping in front of the defence, it remains to be seen if a man whose technical ability remains criminally underrated will be given more creative license under Arteta.