Thomas Partey has made it clear why Arsenal should allow Newcastle to sign Kalvin Phillips despite previously being interested in the England midfielder themselves. According to 90mins, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle are all keeping a close eye on Kalvin Phillips’ contract situation, and Arsenal should leave them to it.
The Gunners will be in desperate need of a midfielder in the summer transfer window due to the number of outgoings that are expected. However, Partey’s dominance in the number six role that Mikel Arteta has recently assigned him has highlighted that Arsenal do not need a player of Phillips’ profile.
The Leeds midfielder has made a name for himself in the Premier League in the last two seasons. He has also done this at international level by being able to break up play, dictate tempo and sit in front of the defence.
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This is also the role that Arteta has given Partey, and the Ghana international has been thriving since occupying it. He has played a part in the Gunners winning their nine of their last 11 Premier League matches.
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 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.
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 number eight position and has put in good performances. However, a player with better mobility would certainly improve Arteta’s side.
With Partey’s dominance in the number six role, it means that Edu would be better at identifying a player whose main strength is in the number eight position. We do not need to get involved in the expected bidding war for Phillips.
