Thomas Partey is showing the importance of his experience in the team that is especially helping Granit Xhaka which has been showing in recent games.
The Ghanaian was excellent in the Gunners 3-2 victory over Watford on Sunday afternoon which propelled the club into the top four positions with games in hand still to play.
It wasn’t just Partey’s qualities on the pitch, but it was also his leadership and enforcing in the midfielder that allowed Arsenal to dominate.
His leadership was epitomised when Xhaka was on the verge of getting into a scuffle with Watford’s Imran Louza.
Arsenal were cruising in the leader and Louza became frustrated after Xhaka had failed, which saw him react by aggressively pushing the Arsenal player in the black.
Xhaka was about to react but Partey quickly stepped in and told him to calm down before he potentially could have changed the direction of the game if he stepped out of line and received a red card.
The Swiss international has been notorious for letting Arsenal down due to his disciplinary issues, however, the initiative shown by Partey made sure that the Gunners would see out a victory which was crucial in the race for top four.
Earlier in the season Partey was very critical of his own performances, and 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, the Ghanaian has gone to become one of Arsenal's most important players, as 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 and the Gunners look the favourites to qualify for a Champions League spot ahead of next season.
Partey has faced some criticism since making the move from Atletico Madrid in the summer, however, his impact on Mikel Arteta’s midfield is starting to show and his leadership will make him a crucial player at the Emirates for years to come.
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