I have to admit, I was one of the Gooners who fancied the idea of Arsenal giving Thomas Partey another chance next season. In fact, I have to admit that I’m one of the Gooners who have been hoping above hope that the Ghana international can finally prove his fitness over a full season.
But honestly, I think that my hopes are unlikely to change the facts of the situation, and I finally get why we should sell Partey this summer. Partey’s injuries have consistently plagued him, prompting me to question our decision to retain him despite his constant injuries, especially considering his weekly salary of around £200,000. His fitness isn’t consistent enough for our team, especially since we want to compete on multiple fronts.
Mikel Arteta needs a player who can start more than 30 games next season. Check out Manchester City; they’ve got Rodri playing in almost every single game. It’s a point of contention, but many believe that the Spaniard is the key to Man City’s success. Last season, the Citizens had a tough time and even lost the three games he didn’t play.
Do you ever wonder what would have happened if Arteta and Edu hadn’t signed Declan Rice? Would we have even made it to the top four?
Honestly, I’m not so sure we can rely on Partey to stay fit for the whole of next season. It might be a beneficial idea to consider finding a more dependable replacement, someone like Amadou Onana (maybe even bringing in the Everton player along with another midfielder like Mikel Merino).
If Rice sustains an injury, who will we turn to? Just curious. The availability of their players and the depth of their squad contribute to Real Madrid’s success as a European giant. Last season, they faced a defensive dilemma with several injured defenders, but they still managed to have a successful season.
It was a smart move to extend Jorginho’s contract. He’s always available when we need him. Apologies to Partey fans, but if there’s a reliable replacement available, it seems like a clear choice to let him go.
Peter Rix
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Interesting question “if Partey is injured who would we turn to?
We could pose that same question if Odegaard, Rice, White, Saka or Saliba were injured.
We have cover for all of them, but not at the same level.
Partey – Zinchenko
Odegaard – ESR
Rice – Jorginho
White – Tomiyasu
Saliba – Kiwior or Timber
Saka – Trossard
So the question applies to every position, except Raya and Ramsdale.
If our medical team have given Mikel the green light regarding Partey’s fitness, it’s well worth trusting that prognosis.
You make very good points Ken1945
It’s not the first 11 I worry about and nor do I expect the same standard from the second 11 although I think it’s a bit light overall. Arsenal should now be getting to a squad size showing a capability of doing well on more than one front.
I’m stuck in the middle regarding injury prone players. For me , continuity is important especially if their talent is superior to the second choice
The big one last season was rice. The closest we had to him in playing style was elneny, but I suspect havertz would have replaced him in midfield, with jorginho behind – either of those options is worrying.
Arteta needs to bear responsibility for some of Partey’s health issues. Any and every time Partey is available, he is played. He clearly needs to be rested on occasion. Maybe played only once a week like Spud’s Ledley King was handled when it was clear he couldn’t handle a full time workload. Arteta keeps rolling out the same starters until they break. one by one. Even Pep doesn’t start Kevin De Bruyne every game he is available.
I’m not sure we necessarily need to rely on Partey to stay fit for the whole of next season.
How many players can promise you that?
And Amadou Onana is never a replacement for Partey, and to even think of an upgrade. Neither is Merino.
If u see how odegaard was happy when Partey came on in our first leg against Bayern u will understand how important he is to the team, since we also have jorginho, I will let Partey run down his contract n next season he can go at both him and jorginho should be alternating for the no 6 position
Jorginho plays 15 games a season partey plays every game he is fit if I had to choose rather let partey play 15-20 games and rest him the rest of them but everybody praises Jorginho for his 15 games. There is levels to both of them and partey is way above but nobody expects Jorginho to play every game.
Good article & one every supporter needs to know.
Arsenal have to much dead wood.we need to sell.
Yes cedric & elneny are released & lokonga loan is smart. But we have taveras Smith rowe Nelson Tierney Eddie party viera who eitheir are not good enough to replace or are injured to often.
If Arsenal are serious to fight on all comps.we need to have 2 players for each position. Please don’t imagine Smith rowe or viera are like for like replacement for odegard? No cover for saka. The only other cover for midfiel is trossard for martinelli & jorginho for party. Id rather strengthen midfield than pay huge money for a striker. Man City won the title for 2 seasons without a striker for example but midfield was solid