Since he was entering the final 12 months of his contract this summer, when it came to the 2024 summer transfer window, a bunch of us Gooners were pretty convinced that we had seen the end of Thomas Partey in the red and white.
Well, surprise, surprise! He is staying.
The Ghana international has made big strides this summer: after four seasons at Arsenal, he’s finally had a complete pre-season under his belt, and he’s been injury-free, maintaining his fitness even after participating in the intense PL run-in and the two World Cup qualifiers with Ghana.
This summer, oddly, there have also been no transfer rumours surrounding him, and he has not been involved in any off-field drama.
Instead, he has had a full month of training, which is a fantastic way to prepare for the upcoming season and reach his peak condition.
With all the preparation, it’s safe to say that Partey has really set himself up for a strong start to the new season. We’ve already talked about how impressive he has been in the last two friendlies, especially with Declan Rice back in the starting lineup for Arsenal.
These two could potentially form a strong partnership in midfield this new season, which increases Arsenal’s chances of achieving glory.
We will finally have our dream midfield trio….
Daniel O
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No transfer rumours or off-field dramas. Hmm, he’ll be on an Emirates plane to Saudi as of about 10:35 pm August 30, 2024.
If I may ask that, at where in the Arsenal’s midfield would Mikel Merino fit-in to be starting, when Arsenal have finally signed him?
Merino comes in to left side of attacking midfield with Rice dropping back to defensive midfield, Odegaard stays right attacking midfield
Merino, along with Calafiori, part of the plan to revitalise our weak and under performing left hand side
the plan being replicating the success of the Odegaard/Saka/White right side triangle with a left side version of Merino/Trossard/Havertz
Calafiori protective screen behind them
then reference BB comment above
A fair question. I suspect Arsenal1886’s answer is correct for those times when Merino plays, but I think your question was more in the context of the article – if there’s a midfield of Partey, Rice, Odegaard… that leaves no obvious place for Merino.
In that scenario, the same question could be asked for Timber.
My take on it, for what it’s worth, is that MA has a squad he can trust to genuinely rotate (rather than as injury cover and some late-on sub appearances) for probably the first time. Or close to a squad anyway – not quite there yet to my mind.
Last season the bench had the likes of Soares seeing out his contract. Not very inspiring. Now there’s a few good players who might not make the starting 11. And a lot of versatility too.
I suspect “the project ” still has a year or so to go. A lot depends on being able to sell unwanted players when you want to sell them and that’s not entirely in the seller’s control.
For example, if Nketiah doesn’t go this season then it will extend the project a bit longer.
Odegaard – Partey – Rice was our midfield for 5 PL games in a row at the end of last season, so hardly ‘finally’ seeing a combination never seen before?
savour it while it lasts, Merino not in yet, and window not shut yet
Possibly the author meant at full strength as Partey was clearly not back at end of last season.
may be you are right, that said Partey was top form against Spurs but poor against Man U and Everton, so perhaps your point is a more consistent Partey now…we will see, my fear is Partey has always had that bad game in him (e.g. shocker at Palace away 2021/22 that cost us CL) that is becoming more frequent and the match winning performance less frequent (I can’t remember the last one)
when sentimentality put to one side, zero chance Arsenal would buy or even take Partey on a free if at another club
I don’t like that the season could largely hinge on Partey’s fitness and Martinell’s form That’s partly what went wrong last season
Arsenal has to buy a striker..no doubt even for now Ivan Toney..period…..ifnt we wont sre a premier league cup for years to come.