Mikel Arteta shares Declan Rice plan with £50m Arsenal star to create ‘powerful midfield’

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Mikel Arteta has hinted that he’s ready to partner Declan Rice with Thomas Partey in Arsenal’s midfield to create something ‘powerful’.

The Ghanian international is set to return to the north London side’s matchday squad tonight against Sheffield United, with Arsenal close to having a fully-fit senior team.

Partey has missed the majority of the season due to a number of injuries, with the £50m signing from Atletico Marid making just five appearances in all competitions this campaign.

Declan Rice and Thomas Partey could make ‘powerful’ Arsenal midfield

And speaking to the Evening Standard, Arteta has now dropped a major hint that Partey could play alongside Rice in the midfield, with options now available for the Arsenal manager.

Indeed, the England international has shone alongside Martin Odegaard and Jorginho this season, yet Partey could be the one who takes Rice’s game to a whole new level at Arsenal.

Arteta said when asked about if he is considering partnering Rice with Partey in Arsenal’s midfield for the Premier League run-in this season: “For sure.

“I will have to see that chemistry on the pitch, and those qualities, and the things we have to treat around to make sure they play to their strengths and make each other better. But I think that will be a very powerful midfield.”

Arsenal’s returning options could now make them unstoppable

With Partey joining Fabio Vieira and soon Jurrien Timber back in the Arsenal squad, the north London side have never looked stronger at any point during the season.

The Gunners have quality depth in virtually every position with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko also due to return to the Arsenal side in the coming weeks.

And Partey’s long-awaited comeback could give Arsenal the depth they need in midfield to push on for the remainder of the season, something the north London side failed with last year.