How Crucial is Partey to Arsenal’s Season?
Arsenal are still in the title race, but the offshore sportsbooks are starting to lose faith in their ability to get the job done as their odds slide. They’re six points behind league leaders Liverpool and have played one game more. Results will have to go their way and against others if they are to get into serious contention. Thomas Partey spikes interest as one of the best players on the contemporary team. How important will he be for the rest of the campaign?
Defensive Midfielder or Right-Back?
When Thomas Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid, he was signed as a defensive midfielder for Mikel Arteta’s plans. Since then, he’s started to play a more defensive role, filling the right-back position.
There’s no real difference between the results when he’s in either role. He slots into both roles with great expertise. He orchestrates play as a defensive midfielder, prompting the ignition of the North London Reds’ attacks. This has led to him assisting two goals in the Premier League, one against Manchester United and another at Selhurst Park in the match with Crystal Palace.
When Arteta sends the Ghanian out as a right-back, he plays as a regular RB, notably not going too far forward and concentrating on the backline’s primary objective. He played in the UEFA Champions League match against Monaco, where he was rated as one of the best defensive players on the pitch, with the Gooners winning 3-0.
Partey doesn’t move up the pitch well.
It’s common to ask midfielders to jump across the diamond and play in multiple mid-section areas of the pitch. While usually associated with the defensive mid position, Partey has been requested to occasionally play as an attacking mid, especially in his earlier career and international assignments. However, he’s never won a game in this position. He’s lost six of seven games when playing in the attacking mid-role.
While a natural thought would be to try him in the central midfield role, Arteta appears unwilling to try him there despite him having played a lot of games in the position while he was with Mallorca, Atletico Madrid and Almeria in the Spanish leagues. Partey has played twice in the CM place for Arsenal, once in a 1-0 win against Chelsea in 2021. The other time was a lot more recent, in the 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan this season – one of his poorer performances during his career.
No party without Partey?
The Premier League title looks like it’s only going to Liverpool. Arne Slot has come into a very well-oiled Anfield team and only made them better. While not impossible for Arsenal to come from behind, it will be hard for them to compete with the leaders.
That shouldn’t deter Arsenal supporters from expecting silverware from the other campaigns. Despite being 2-0 down in the League Cup tie against Newcastle United, there’s a chance of progression. The FA Cup is also seen as their main chance of silverware according to this directory of American offshore sportsbooks.
The revamped UEFA Champions League format has allowed Arsenal to show their continental mettle. They are third in the 32-team league table and have a more than reasonable probability of advancing to the next phase.
Thomas Partey will be necessary in the second half of the season as Arsenal continues to fire on all fronts. However, the team has many good players, both midfielders and defenders, who are of similar quality to Partey. Matin Odergaard as club captain is probably more important, while the club will probably prefer Takehiro Tomiyasu back in the RB position when he’s back from injury, given he is a lot more natural at that position.
This leaves Partey in a strange position. It’s not a permanent job share, nor is he the best midfielder at the club. Yet, given the Japanese international defender’s lack of progress, he remains a vital asset in the short term.
Or…He could leave Arsenal
It’s worth remembering that we are in the January transfer window. Speculation runs rife at this time about players and their dedication to clubs. While the Ghanian player is said to be happy at Arsenal, plenty of sources are stating that he could be tempted elsewhere. The club might decide to cash in on the opportunity as he’s out of contract in the summer, meaning he could leave the club for free.
Barcelona is touted as interested in the player right now, while Juventus was known to monitor him back in 2023. Could either of these clubs tempt him away from North London?
The recruitment team at Arsenal will be itching to lock Partey, even if to secure that he won’t leave the club on a free transfer in the summer.