‘The best’: Paul Merson makes Thomas Partey and Casemiro claim

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Paul Merson has hailed Thomas Partey as a ‘very special’ player for Arsenal and someone who is on the same level as Manchester United’s, Casemiro.

The TV pundit thinks Partey, alongside Manchester United’s £70 million summer signing (Sky Sports) and five-time European Cup winner, is ‘the best’ holding midfielder around.

Before Partey’s recent injury, Arsenal fans were praying that their hard-hitting midfielder would stay out of the treatment room because he is one of the most important cogs in their Premier League title-chasing wheel.

It just so happened to be that, as soon as Manchester City were coming to town, he would hit the treatment room and the 29-year-old’s absence would be felt.

Saying that, Jorginho was the one to come in and replace Arsenal’s defensive brain in the XI, and in truth, he did a pretty solid job considering the pressure he was under.

Now, Merson thinks if Jorginho has to step in for Partey, now and again, then Arsenal would do fine, but over the long-term period, he added that can’t be the case, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (04/03/23 at 12:05 pm).

On if Arsenal’s title hopes hinge on Partey being fit: “I think they have someone in Jorginho to come on and step in,” said Merson.

“I would say Thomas Partey needs to be there. I wouldn’t say Jorginho to play ten on the trot. But to come in and do a good job.

“For me, this lad is a very special player. I think he is the best holding midfield player around, at the moment. Him and Casemiro, if I am being honest.”

PARTEY HELPS ARSENAL TO BOURNEMOUTH WIN

Arsenal were at it again over the weekend when they secured the most dramatic of late winners against relegation-threatened, Bournemouth.

At 2-0 down, Arsenal fans were fearing the worst, especially given that the second goal of the game came after 57 minutes.

But five minutes later, Partey started his side’s comeback, which was topped off by another Hale-End star in Reiss Nelson, who produced the greatest moment of his career so far.

In comparison to what’s coming up next month for the Gunners, from trips to Anfield and the Etihad, their games in March should equate to maximum points, if they don’t, then April will be even more difficult.