Arsenal fans had their eye on one player during the first half of the Gunners’ clash with Liverpool.
The Gunners hadn’t won at Anfield since 2012, emphasising the need for Mikel Arteta’s side to record a statement win.
After Arsenal gave Liverpool a guard of honour, the visitors were expected to quieten Anfield, but instead, the hosts scored two goals in the space of one minute.
Though the gap between the Premier League champions and Arsenal was made clear from early in the fixture, one of Arteta’s players certainly made the job easier for Arne Slot’s squad.
Arsenal fans unimpressed with Thomas Partey against Liverpool
Arsenal are in talks to offer Thomas Partey a new contract, which, after the first half at Anfield, is not what some fans want to see.
Partey was slammed by supporters on social media, as criticism regarding the midfielder’s weaknesses flooded in on X.
“Partey has zero recovery pace. Liverpool tearing through us,” one supporter said, as others scolded the Ghanaian.
“Partey is a defensive liability again and again,” and “Partey weak link in the press as always oh well.”
Though Partey has been praised for his impact this season, his stronger performances have been accompanied by consistent concerns over his inability to defend in transition.
“Look at Partey running back there in transition. No effort whatsoever,” one Arsenal fan said, before asking why Arteta wants to renew the 31-year-old’s contract.
“Why are we even entertaining the idea of a new contract?”
Fans piled on Partey for looking sluggish in the middle of the park, which was a concern coming so early into the high-paced contest.
“Partey jogging back every time please get this guy gone.”
“Looks like Thomas Partey has put on his boots filled with concrete today……. And running in treacle.”
“Partey already jogging,” one said, as another admitted they look forward to the day that the Ghana international is out of the starting XI.
“The day Odegaard and Partey are not in our midfield will be a glorious day.”
“Partey. Dreadful,” another frustrated supporter wrote, as the consensus from the early moments at Anfield was that Arsenal’s number five was being bullied.
Partey’s Arsenal future remains unclear
Though it’s understood that Arsenal are close to a deal with Martin Zubimendi, there remains uncertainty over Partey’s future.
It was initially thought that the 31-year-old would leave the Emirates at the expiration of his contract, however, Arteta has other ideas.
Zubimendi’s arrival will not impact Partey’s future, leaving the door open regarding whether the midfielder stays or goes.
Partey is being eyed by several clubs as a free agent, making his next steps fascinating as the situation lacks clarity with only two games of the season remaining.
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