Arteta backs Partey and Rice to form ‘powerful’ midfield partnership | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Thomas Partey to have a big impact during the remainder of the season, ahead of his return from injury.

Partey has played just four Premier League games this season, having spent most of the campaign on the treatment table with a hamstring injury and has not played for the Gunners since October.

But the Ghanaian is set to return to the squad for the trip to Sheffield United on Monday and Arteta spoke of his excitement at the opportunity for him to form a midfield partnership with Declan Rice.

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“I think they only played in the Community Shield together in midfield. That tells you how much we have missed Thomas,” said Arteta.

“To play the whole season, and a player like him who has not played much with us, the impact he can have for the next 3 months can be really big.

“For sure. I will have to see that chemistry on the pitch and those qualities and the things we have to work around to make sure they play to their strengths and make each other better.

“But I think that it will be a very powerful midfield.”

Arsenal travel to bottom of the table Sheffield United on Monday night hoping to continue their fine league form and magnificent run of goalscoring, having netted 15 goals in the last three league games.