Mikel Arteta hails returning Arsenal star and explains a new side of his game that Arsenal fans can expect to see | OneFootball

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·19 January 2021

Mikel Arteta hails returning Arsenal star and explains a new side of his game that Arsenal fans can expect to see

Article image:Mikel Arteta hails returning Arsenal star and explains a new side of his game that Arsenal fans can expect to see

Sometimes it’s easy to think that a player might be limited because of the system that they play in, but a change of scenery can suddenly bring out a new side of their game.

Thomas Partey tended to play in a more disciplined role at Atletico Madrid because Diego Simeone likes to keep things tight and his system demands that players are always thinking about defending first.


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That did lead to suggestions that Thomas Partey could be a limited player and Arsenal might only use him in a holding role, but he’s starting to show that he can be a true all-round midfielder.

Mikel Arteta was asked about this in his press conference, and it’s clear that he hopes to see Partey become a creative force in the Arsenal midfield going forward:

That’s promising news for the fans and it’s also necessary when you consider that Arsenal have struggled for creativity at times this season, so Partey could be a genuine game-changer if he can open defences up on a regular basis.

It’s easy to forget that he arrived at Arsenal late in the window and he’s had a few injury issues so he’s still trying to settle into the team, so it will take time for him to properly adapt and carve out a clear role in the team.

His performance tonight showed that he can add some real quality to this Arsenal team and he should be a key player in the second half of the season.

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