Thomas Partey has been excellent for Arsenal this season and is certainly Mikel Arteta’s best central midfielder. It could also be argued that he is in the bracket for the best central midfielders in Europe.
This can be proven by the fact that the Ghanaian has the third-best dribble success rate in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Only Marco Veratti and Frenkie De Jong have scored higher than Partey.
Both of the players who are ranked higher than Partey are also arguably the best midfielders in their position at the moment. Partey being amongst these players is a testament to his ability and his importance in the Arsenal midfield.
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Partey suffered in a double pivot earlier in the season, and was also vocally critical about his displays. Speaking after the defeat to Manchester United, he said: “The team is improving, each and everyone is doing our best.”
“For me, I have to keep on doing my best, keep trying, keep improving, try to come back to my best, because the team needs me, the team needs us.”
Since these quotes, he has gone on to become one of Arsenal's most important players. His absence was clear in January when he went to play at the African Cup of Nations, as the Gunners failed to win a single game during the month he was absent.
However, since he has returned to the side, Arsenal haven’t lost a match. The Gunners now look the favourites to qualify for a Champions League spot ahead of next season.
This has been proven with his statistics which rank just below Europe's elite midfielders in his position. Ball retention is crucial for a lone holding midfielder and Partey's dribble success rate highlights that he is excelling in this area.
Arsenal will be in desperate need of a midfielder in the summer window. Football.london understands that Roma are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Granit Xhaka at the end of the season.
Xhaka is tasked with a new role in the No.8 position and has put in good performances. However, a player with better mobility would certainly take Arteta’s side to the next level.
Partey’s dominance in the 'six' role means Edu is better off identifying a player whose main strength is in the No.8 position. Before it seemed like a necessity for the Gunners to strengthen in the defensive midfield role ahead of next season, but this has been changed due to the influence of Partey.
Being grouped alongside Verratti and De Jong is a testament to his excellent performances, and why he will be the enforcer in Arsenal’s midfield in seasons to come. The £45m release clause the Gunners paid for him, seems to look like more of a bargain after every matchday.
