Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino is expecting big things from Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey later this season.
Thomas Partey has enjoyed a frustrating season so far. The Arsenal star has been restricted to just five appearances across all competitions so far, and hasn’t featured for the Gunners at all since his cameo against Manchester City.
In his absence, Jorginho has stepped up and impressed Arsenal fans with his composure and quality on the ball.
That being said, it is impossible not to miss a player of Partey’s quality. The 30-year-old is a top level operator in the middle of the park, offering an irresistible blend of physicality and technical ability.
The Ghanaian’s fitness issues are now a major concern, though. Mikel Arteta simply can’t rely on Partey to be fully fit and available when he needs him. This is not a new problem. Partey has missed significant chunks of every season he has spent as an Arsenal player, since his £45 million arrival in the summer of 2020.
Thomas Partey tipped for Arsenal renaissance
Many supporters will be anxiously waiting to see Jurrien Timber back in action. However, Tony Cascarino believes Arsenal fans should be optimistic about Partey still being able to shine for them this season. Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-striker said, “he won’t have much football played this year, and when he does come back, if he can avoid injury, if you look at last season’s Thomas Partey, 80 to 90% of the season he was sensational for Arsenal last year.”
“I would be way more optimistic. If he can avoid injury, Thomas Partey will be a great addition going into the second part of the season.”
The problem with Cascarino’s statement is that it is such a big ‘if’ when it comes to Partey being able to remain injury-free for any significant spell. Certainly, Arteta won’t be comfortable if he finds himself overly reliant on Partey being able to remain fit.
If Partey were able to play regularly in the second half of this season, he would be like a new signing. The truth is, though, Arsenal should already be planning for life without the 47-cap Ghana international. The time has come for the Gunners to move Partey on and invest in a long-term replacement for him in the middle of the park.
Of course, the summer arrival of Declan Rice, along with the presence of Jorginho, means that it is now easier for Arteta to cope without Partey, but he still needs more from the veteran star.
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