Thomas Partey has proven to be one of the most influential players for Arsenal in their Premier League title fight against Manchester City. The Ghana international has been a consistent, top performer for Mikel Arteta in the holding midfield role and his recent injury came as a huge blow.
Partey missed the 3-1 defeat against City at the Emirates Stadium after sustaining a muscular injury, resulting in him missing the 4-2 win against Aston Villa the following weekend. The 29-year-old midfielder made his return from injury in the 1-0 win against Leicester at the weekend and could now come in for Jorginho as the Gunners prepare to face Everton on Wednesday night.
The Italy international has proven to be a key signing after his arrival from Chelsea in the January transfer window. Jorginho has performed well of late in midfield for Arsenal and Arteta now must decide whether to stick with the Italian or give Partey a start against the Toffees.
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Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has urged Arteta to start Partey ahead of Jorginho as he believes that's the preference of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Shearer told Premier League Productions: “That work Partey does in there [defensive midfield] is invaluable.
“If you speak to the two Arsenal centre-halves and say ‘how comfortable are you with or without Partey in there?’ There is no doubt they much prefer to have him in there because he makes them look better players.
"I am not saying their job is easy, but he makes their job easier, in terms of the way he sits in there, his experience, his know-how in that position and helping out and sniffing out trouble. He actually sniffs it out before anybody else sees it, that’s what is so good about him.”
With the return of Europa League action in a couple of weeks, Arteta may delay bringing Partey straight back into his starting lineup just days after returning to the matchday squad given the fact that Jorginho has not performed terribly in his absence. It's a huge game against Everton with the Gunners hoping to get revenge for their defeat at Goodison Park just a few weeks ago, as Arsenal look to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points.
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