Ian Wright and Tim Sherwood explain importance of new Arsenal signing Thomas Partey

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Ian Wright has told Optus Sport’s The Kelly and Wrighty Show (October 15) that Thomas Partey is more progressive than Arsenal’s current midfielders and offers more creativity – while Tim Sherwood underlined the importance of his addition.

Partey, 27, finally joined Arsenal on deadline day earlier this month. It followed a long transfer saga that lasted the entire summer, after the Gunners activated a £45million release clause in his previous Atletico Madrid contract.

The Ghana international joined after Mikel Arteta sanctioned the exits of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi on loan, joining Atletico Madrid and Hertha Berlin respectively. Partey comes in to not only replace the duo, but massively improve them.

Wright believes Partey offers more than the likes of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos, stating he is more progressive. Sherwood, meanwhile, has explained the importance of Partey – and stated that his mentality is crucial to Mikel Arteta.

“People may feel he is a stopper, or a destroyer, and then passes the ball. This guy progresses the ball. Ceballos can play, Xhaka can pass, but Partey can progress it. He can run with the ball, he can pass, but he progresses it,” Wright said.

Meanwhile, Sherwood said: “Partey is a massive signing for them, it was a problem area. He gives them that thrust and power. He’s played for Atletico and Simeone, that mentality. He is reliable and sticks to the game plan.”

TBR’s view – Should Partey start against Manchester City?

The obvious concerns of a player coming into a team and immediately starting is that, he is not up to speed with the new club’s style of play – and he might not instantly connect with his teammates. Arsenal have nothing to worry about, in that regard.

Partey is massively reliable. As Sherwood says, playing under Simeone means he is exceptionally solid in terms of his mentality. It means that a change in style, players, enviromnment would hardly affect Partey – especially given his quality.

If Arteta is to start his best side against City, then Partey needs to start on Saturday evening.