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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta singled out Arsenal man Thomas Partey for huge praise following his display in the win over Newcastle United.

The Gunners continued their strong recent form with a convincing 3-0 victory on Monday night.

They now have 13 points from their last five Premier League matches to help them climb to 10th in the table.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rediscovered some form last night with two second-half goals against Newcastle, plus in-form youngster Bukayo Saka also found the back of the net on the hour mark.

Arteta felt that Partey was another Arsenal man that impressed against Newcastle.

The 27-year-old has had a stop-start season due to injuries so far, but he proved at former club Atletico Madrid that he’s a top class central midfielder.

“Really happy, I think he looked better and better as the game went on. He had a big influence and gave us things that are different to any other player,” Arteta told Sky Sports’ Main Event channel (10:16pm, 18 January).

“Still we have to protect him because he’s missed a lot of football in the last few months, but really happy with the performance.”

TBR’s View:

Partey is someone that adds a physical presence in the centre of the park for Arsenal and is happy to sit in a deeper role breaking up play, but he also offers plenty of guile and creativity on the ball.

The Ghanian powerhouse assisted Aubameyang first goal with an excellent pass from his own half to set the forward on the counter-attack.

His presence in the middle looks like it gives the North London side a better balance, so they will be desperate for him to get a full run of games under his belt.