Thomas Partey - the footballer: Page 39 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Thomas Partey - the footballer

flobaba

Grealish’s problem is that he is (or was) a ball hog. From his days at Villa he was used to being ball dominant, and holding on to the ball a bit too long. Pep wants you to make quick decisions on and off the ball, and the only player it is allowed to stick with is de Bruyne - the Belgian, like Odegaard, makes space for others and is generally efficient with his play.

Qwiss

flobaba Grealish just goes over and wins them frees, thats his role in their team. Does fuck all else. And they have the cheek to talk about "dark arts".

Clrnc

Is it me or Partey is getting better and better this year? I thought he was close to his best in both yesterday and Citeh match.

The way he receives the ball, recycles, pass between the lines are all a notch above Rice still.

When Rice became the pivot after Partey left I was a little frustrated how long he took to recycle the ball and how unadventurous it was again.

Sicario2 - Tier 1

Clrnc

Good first half and very bad 2nd half and was rightly taken off.

When Merino comes back hopefully Partey will just be a strong squad player.

Claudius

Clrnc there are great signs and some concerns. But overall been fantastic.
Agree with you that he has really been managing offense well. Drops between centre backs, gets the ball and distributes all over.
But you’ll notice yesterday we had a few instances where Leicester ran right through our centre. He doesn’t have the same level of transition defense anymore. But I won’t complain in a game with 90% field tilt and 75% possession

Clrnc

Claudius But you’ll notice yesterday we had a few instances where Leicester ran right through our centre. He doesn’t have the same level of transition defense anymore. But I won’t complain in a game with 90% field tilt and 75% possession

I thought his defensive positioning was fantastic especially in the first half. Was first to every ball and a big part of why we kept possession so well.

Big Willie

Clrnc I thought his defensive positioning was fantastic especially in the first half. Was first to every ball and a big part of why we kept possession so well.

Yrah, I agree with this. I mean I missed the first 10-15mins but there were a number of occassions I saw him chasing back a guy who was running to a ball with a 1-2m headstart and still managed to get back and win the ball before the opposition player got on the ball and settled.

MistaT

He’s also a far better progressive passer when we’re in possession around an oppositions 18 yard box.

He has a knack for reversing the ball to players and for threading a pass that Rice has never shown.

Gunner89

We need a big signing next year to replace him

Sicario2 - Tier 1

That was Partey’s best game of 2024 imo.

Don’t know if he has turned a corner or he is playing this well because his contract is coming to an end…

RocktheCasbah

Well, if you're Arsenal learn the lessons from seasons, and players, past. Take the benefits of the contract performances - and wish him a fond farewell at the end of the season.

Gazza M

RocktheCasbah yep. if we're getting shop window form, it's fine with me. I thought he'd be dead weight this season, so anything we squeeze out of him is a bonus

daredevil

Merino has to do a Timber and show that he offers more than Partey to take his place, otherwise I would be tentative to break up the current midfield.

Claudius

daredevil Merino has to do a Timber and show that he offers more than Partey to take his place, otherwise I would be tentative to break up the current midfield.

That’s a great luxury. A super quality player playing well enough that it affords our star summer signing time go settle in. I always say “season is long”.

Qwiss

Partey is looking incredibly sharp at the moment. His ability to win the second ball is really important for us. So often we are winning headers in midfield and then Partey wins the follow up. People are talking about Merino replacing him but one of his strengths is in the air so it'd be interesting to see them together in midfield too.

Clrnc

Qwiss Partey is our best midfielder this season. He has been better than Rice for me. Yesterday some of his anticipation for loose balls reminds me of peak Partey.

MistaT

Clrnc — with the exception of covering ground, Partey is well ahead of Rice in everything we ask of our midfielders.

Last season it wasn’t the case because Rice was in form while Partey wasn’t. Which is worth remembering so that we build up Rice - and have a plan - for when Partey drops off.

Qwiss

Clrnc I'd agree. I think Rice hasn't been bad but he's just there being glue and doing his job without standing out in a positive or negative way. No harm in that, I'm sure there will be spells in the season where we rely on him more and he has more impact.

lorddulaarsenal

I quite like the look of Ederson to replace Partey

Bernard Woolley

lorddulaarsenal My vote is for Federico Redondo, in the winter or next summer. Can be the #6 pivot we have been looking for in 12-18 months. I know he plays in the MLS which is never a great place to judge talent, but he does look special.

samthegooner

Partey was awesome yesterday - could tell when he and Timber were off the pitch that we lost all control from a possession perspective. He's still lost a few steps athletically but his positioning has improved with each game this season it feels. I've gone from dreading seeing his name on the team sheet at the beginning of the year to being very comfortable seeing him there and I do think it will allow us to rotate a lot more if/when we can get Odegaard back and Merino at match fitness.

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