Arsenal have found ways to cope without injured midfielder Martin Odegaard, as they remain unbeaten despite a tough start to the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side navigated games against top-quality opposition in Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain without Odegaard, as several other midfielders stepped up.
With Mikel Merino also injured for most of these games, and Declan Rice suspended for the North London derby at the start of this run, the burden fell to Thomas Partey to deliver in midfield, and despite some criticism, he has been an overall positive.
The 31-year-old has suffered injury problems throughout his Arsenal career, but has been available throughout this campaign, and has been excellent at times on the ball.
There has been criticism of Partey’s defensive work off the ball, with some claiming that the Ghanaian is physically far off where he used to be, but Arteta has now denied this, and praised his midfielder.
Mikel Arteta praises Thomas Partey’s physical condition
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Southampton, Arteta praised Partey for his recent strong form, and claimed that he is in the best physical condition he has seen since he joined the club.
“He’s a massive player for us and he’s shown that week in, week out. He’s started the season really well, really fit,” he stated.
“The way he came back post-holiday was probably in the best condition that he’s been, which was really helpful as well.
“Now he needs to continue to do that. We have managed certain minutes with him in the right way and the team is doing that, and then he’s doing everything he can as well to be in the best physical condition.”
Mikel Arteta wants more consistency from Thomas Partey amid uncertain Arsenal future
Partey has played well in recent weeks, with his performance against PSG particularly impressive, and Arteta has now challenged him to continue playing at a high level.
“It’s about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits and you want more consistency, things don’t happen overnight,” he added.
“If in two or three weeks it doesn’t happen and you throw in the towel, you’re going to waste the next two or three years of your career.”
Partey is in the final year of his Arsenal contract, and Arteta has hinted that he is still working hard despite his uncertain future.
“He’s doing everything he can to be in that. I think his work ethic has been better than ever, defensively he’s been really solid and with the ball he had moments.
“They probably were his most complete performances because he gave us everything that we want from him and he can deliver that.”
The return of Merino could mean that Partey loses his place in the side, but as it stands right now, he has performed well enough to justify his place in the starting XI.
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