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Martin Keown has claimed that Arsenal’s Thomas Partey didn’t have the energy in last night’s result against Villarreal.

The Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw on Thursday night at the Emirates Stadium, which wasn’t enough for them to progress in the Europa League semi finals.

Mikel Arteta’s side were made to regret the 2-1 defeat against Spanish opponents Villarreal in the first leg, who will now face Manchester United in the final later in May.

With Arsenal’s domestic form really poor this season, they may have just blown the chance of any kind of European football next season after being dumped out of the Europa League.

Pundit and ex-Arsenal defender Keown claimed in his post-match analysis that Partey found it really difficult against Villarreal.

The 27-year-old midfielder was left isolated at times acting as the sole defensive anchor in front of the backline, and had to get through a lot work as his team tried to find a goal.

“You would’ve thought it would suit Partey sitting deeper in that midfield, but it didn’t. He didn’t look like he had the energy to get around the pitch, and they didn’t work off him well enough,” Keown told BT Sport 2 (10:13pm, 6 May).

TBR’s View:

It’s a fair assessment that Partey found it tough in front of the defence by himself, and he doesn’t look the same player when Granit Xhaka isn’t alongside him in the XI.

He has had a tough first season at the Emirates Stadium following his move from Atletico Madrid, with injuries and inconsistency plaguing him.

However, the Ghanian has shown his class on the European stage in the past, so should be one of the few who is given a free pass to start fresh next year after a poor season.