QuincyAbeyie Lot of hoops being gone through here to blame Partey more than everyone else who did the same as him.
There were certainly clangers from the likes of Zinchenko, but the difference between Zinchenko and Partey is that Zinchenko isn't pivotal to our game (there's a reason they call 6 the pivot …). I started a thread back then devoted to bemoaning the disappointing way we crumbled last year identifying all these greater or lesser culprits.
I'm still ruing those demoralising 2-2 draws against Pool and West Ham where we were slaughtered through the midfield for forty minutes in each. Where was Partey then? His game was disordered, error prone and ineffective when we needed it most. That's why I don't accept he's a key to a hypothetical league title.
I would also rather Zinchenko didn't feature constantly in our first XI. If last season is any guide we will need someone who's a better and more focused defender on many occasions. However, Zinchenko is 26, has an extraordinary technical level, can cover in midfield as well as at left back, and is Arsenal obsessed—seems an ideal utility player.
Seems Arsenal was open to Partey's departure until recently. The reason for the change of direction may be that the Saudis are raiding the likes of Pool for their midfielders. The market is going to be searing hot for any quality player who becomes available.
